The Portland Trail Blazers has come to terms with former lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. to attend training camp according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. While the report doesn’t provide contract details, it is believed that it’ll be a non-guaranteed one-year deal for a chance to compete for a roster spot.
Free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr., has signed a deal to attend training camp with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Smith played 23 games between Detroit and New York last season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 2, 2021
For the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft, it looks like Smith is starting to run out of chances. After having a promising rookie season for the Dallas Mavericks with averages of 15.2 points and 5.2 assists as the team’s starting point guard, he started to struggle with his shooting efficiency. Dallas traded him to the New York Knicks in the deal that landed Kristaps Porzingis.
In case you forgot how disgusting Dennis Smith Jr’s Dallas highlights were 🔥
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 2, 2021
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The Pistons did not extend a qualifying offer at the end of his rookie contract and Smith became an unrestricted free agent.
The Trail Blazers do offer a legitimate chance to make the roster. The team currently only has 13 players on guaranteed contracts, League rules say that they will have to carry at least 14 during the regular season. With Portland over the tax line, Smith’s contract will be cap-friendly if he makes the team.
In 179 total NBA games, Smith has career averages of 11.8 points and 4.4 assists in 25.2 minutes per game.
