Real Madrid are exploring the NBA market to strengthen their roster after enduring one of their worst EuroLeague starts in recent years. Whether Dennis Smith Jr. will seriously consider a move to Europe remains uncertain.
Real Madrid are exploring the NBA market. According to BasketNews sources, the 27-year-old guard Dennis Smith Jr is among the Real's NBA targets.
Selected 9th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Smith Jr. has played 326 NBA games (154 starts), averaging 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. Recently, he joined the Wisconsin Herd to display his abilities in the Orlando G League Showcase.
At an event attended by numerous NBA personnel, Smith Jr. might also participate in private workouts for NBA teams, potentially boosting his chances of securing a roster spot.
Last season, Smith played for the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 19 minutes per game.
Smith Jr. has never played in Europe, and his main goal is to stay in the NBA. It remains to be seen whether he'll consider showcasing his talents in Europe to rebuild his NBA stock.
Earlier this season, Real Madrid explored signing Lonnie Walker IV but couldn't offer him an NBA-out clause. This led Walker to join Zalgiris, where he has become one of the league's top scorers, averaging 16.4 points on 43.6% three-point shooting while helping Zalgiris remain in the top eight of the standings.
NBA players moving to Europe might also be complicated at this point of the season, as many borderline NBA players are holding out for the January 10 deadline for two-way contracts. On that date, non-guaranteed and partially guaranteed deals convert into fully guaranteed contracts, often leading to cuts and opening up new roster spots.
Currently, Madrid is enduring one of their worst EuroLeague starts in years, with just 8 wins in their first 17 games, leaving them outside the play-in positions.
Dennis Smith Jr. had his best NBA season as a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists during the 2017-18 campaign.
Over the years, Smith Jr. was part of notable NBA trades. He was sent to the New York Knicks in a deal that included DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews going to Dallas in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. In 2021, the Knicks traded him to the Detroit Pistons for Derrick Rose.
What do we think of Dennis Smith Jr.'s potential in the EuroLeague?
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