Multiple trades, injuries, bouncing around to a few different teams – Dennis Smith Jr. has been through a lot since the Dallas Mavericks took him with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Different from the style of player he was when he first came into the league, Smith resurrected his career as a high-intensity, defensive force for the home state Hornets this past season.
Added to the roster just a few days before the start of training camp back in September, Smith quickly made his presence felt throughout the preseason all the way up to Opening Night as the team’s eventual backup point guard.