I remember watching Dennis Smith Jr. during his explosive rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, thinking he might just be the next great athletic point guard in the NBA. His breathtaking 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest performance, where he executed a between-the-legs dunk over a seated person, wasn't just for show—it was a testament to the raw, unteachable talent he possessed. His career, however, has been a fascinating study in the volatile nature of professional sports, a narrative that finds interesting parallels in the recent coaching change for the MPBL's Cebu Greats, where Junthy Valenzuela took the helm after a disastrous start. Just as the Cebu Greats' former ownership oversaw a string of lopsided and controversial defeats early in their season, Smith's journey has been marked by dramatic highs and challenging lows that have forced a reevaluation of his role and future in the league.
Looking back at his college days at NC State, the numbers were undeniably impressive. During his lone season, he averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and a stellar 1.9 steals per game. He wasn't just a scorer; he was a playmaker and a defensive disruptor, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors. When the Mavericks drafted him 9th overall in 2017, the expectation was that he would be the franchise cornerstone. His rookie year showed flashes of that potential, with a memorable 21-point, 7-assist, and 5-rebound performance against the defending champion Warriors. But the landscape shifted dramatically with the arrival of Luka Dončić. Suddenly, Smith's fit became awkward. The ball-dominant style that made him successful in college clashed with the need for an off-ball guard, and his shooting inconsistencies were exposed. His three-point percentage hovered around a shaky 32% during his time in Dallas, a number that simply wasn't sustainable for a guard in the modern NBA. I've always felt the trade to the New York Knicks was a pivotal, and perhaps detrimental, moment. Instead of finding a system that could harness his athleticism, he was thrust into another unstable situation.
His stints with the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers followed a similar pattern—moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency and injuries. Who can forget that game against the Pelicans in 2021 where he posted 15 points and 6 assists off the bench for the Pistons? It was a reminder of the player he could be. Yet, these performances were too sporadic. The core issue, in my view, has always been his jump shot. For a player of his caliber, a career free-throw percentage lingering in the low 70s and a three-point percentage that has never reliably cracked the 33% mark are significant liabilities. In today's pace-and-space league, a non-shooting guard faces an uphill battle, no matter how high they can jump. This is where the Cebu Greats' situation under Junthy Valenzuela offers a compelling analogy. Just as the Greats needed a new voice and a new system to correct their course after those early "lopsided and controversial defeats," Dennis Smith needs the right coach and the right system—a basketball environment that doesn't ask him to be a primary scorer but instead maximizes his defensive tenacity and playmaking in open space.
So, what does the future hold? I'm cautiously optimistic, but it requires a fundamental shift in his approach and a dose of good fortune. At 26 years old, he's not a finished product. His recent season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he started 43 games and averaged a respectable 6.6 points and 3.6 assists while playing solid defense, showed a player willing to adapt. He's no longer the high-usage rookie; he's learning to impact the game in other ways. I believe his best role moving forward is as a backup point guard on a playoff-contending team—a defensive specialist who can change the game's tempo, harass opposing ball-handlers for 94 feet, and provide a spark with his transition offense. Think of a poor man's Patrick Beverley with better offensive upside. He needs to commit to being a defensive stopper first and foremost. Furthermore, an offseason dedicated solely to refining that jump shot is non-negotiable. Even a modest improvement to a 35-36% clip from three would completely transform his market value and make him a coveted piece for any contender.
Ultimately, Dennis Smith Jr.'s career arc is a reminder that transcendent athleticism is only one piece of the puzzle. Sustained success in the NBA requires adaptability, skill refinement, and finding the right situation. Just as Coach Valenzuela aims to instill a new identity and system for the Cebu Greats to overcome their early-season turmoil, Smith's next chapter depends on him embracing a refined identity and a team willing to build a specific role around his unique, albeit unpolished, talents. I, for one, haven't given up on him. The player who wowed us in the dunk contest is still in there; he just needs to find the right map to guide him to a lasting and impactful career.