Dennis Smith Jr. could follow the path of Josh Jackson on the rebuilding Pistons, Keith Langlois of the team’s website opines. Jackson is reviving his career after signing with the club as a free agent, as evidenced by his 28-point outing against the Lakers on Saturday. Smith, who was officially acquired from the Knicks on Monday, is another lottery pick who could get his career back on track in Detroit.
With lottery pick Killian Hayes out indefinitely, Smith will get playing time and he’s now in an organization invested in the futures of all its young players, Langlois adds. Smith could be a restricted free agent after the season if Detroit extends a $7MM+ qualifying offer.
We have more on the Pistons:
- Since Smith spent time at Orlando’s G League bubble, coach Dwane Casey anticipates the guard will have to quarantine a few days in Detroit, James Edwards of The Athletic tweets. If so, Smith won’t be in uniform on Tuesday against Brooklyn, Detroit’s first game since its 0-4 West Coast trip. He’s officially listed as questionable.
- Casey didn’t sign up for a rebuilding project when he was hired by owner Tom Gores but he’s on board with the team’s rebuilding effort, Edwards adds in another tweet. The Pistons also acquired a second-round pick from the Knicks in the Derrick Rose deal. “It’s a direction, and it’s one needed for a long time with this organization,” Casey said.
- Rodney McGruder has known GM Troy Weaver since childhood, as McGruder’s father grew up with Weaver in Washington, D.C., according to Langlois. “Troy’s like an uncle to me. Grew up in the same neighborhood,” McGruder said. “I’ve known him all my life. That relationship, he’s family. We both want to see each other succeed.” McGruder’s $5MM for next season in non-guaranteed.
Would be awesome to see Weaver snag another productive revival project.
Is it really fair to call Josh Jackson a revival? Jackson is basically putting up the same numbers he did in Phoenix. Almost exactly the same. So it’s not a revival as much as it is a continuation of disappointment with the occasional good game thrown in.
Pretty unfair comment for a guy trying to revive. Not sure you are really grasping the issue.
Yeah his advanced metrics are actually down across the board from last season
He’s reviving his career in Eastern Europe maybe?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Dennis Smith Jr impressed enough to overtake Killian Hayes who’s currently out injured. We all know DSJ is capable of good stat lines and plays an exciting style. Pistons have a bunch of good young defenders to allow DSJ some freedom
Hayes out injured still is better & contributes more than DSJ… go figure!
DSJ was a beast with the Mavs averaging 14-4-5 and with the Knicks in 18/19 averaging 15-5-3. Hayes career high is 10 points and 3 rebounds.
But unfair on simple size and everything but just you wait and see DSJ ball out and put up nice numbers
14-4-5 is hardly a beast. That sounds like an average nba starter. Human starter.
Jackson’s just putting up empty stats lol probably what smith is gonna do when he gets there but tbh I wouldn’t be shocked if he does nothing he’s garbage
They’re not all empty. His decision making leaves a lot to be desired, but the Pistons don’t take the Lakers to OT (eventually double) without him. He brought them back in that game….almost by himself. He had 13 points and 6 boards in the 4th – including the shot to force OT w/ 3 seconds left.
Smith had to get away from NYC. He’ll be motivated for a new contract too. Smith has the talent to start. Just not sure about dedication. We all have to grow up sometime. This is his chance at a better opportunity. At worst he should be able to be the third guard. His shooting is what needs the most improvement. Time to man up.
Of course Casey is ok hanging around for the rebuild, I mean he is the worst coach in the league, he wouldn’t get another job, so is hardly his choice, right?
Jr looked motivated against the Lakers.It’s very obvious he can jump out of the building and creates shots for himself.Kid is talented but he’s a tweener.PG or SG, maybe both.Either way he needs to be teamed with a bigger guard who can run the o and play d at the 2/3 position.Halliburton,LeBron,Holiday,&Simmons.There’s room for his style in this league.If it’s matched up with a bigger guard or that 3rd guard of the bench.Dude is exciting to watch and he takes it to the hole for a lil guy,quite effectively.
That’s the thing, he needs built around, so he has to be worth it. It’s more possible for the Pistons and at age 23 than before.
Joe Dumars should be happy, Detroit getting talent, but no guarantee it gets them far.
DSJ lacks the talent to be a starting caliber PG, and the lacks the character and work ethic to be a reliable backup. He’s just another guy who was recruited, drafted and traded for based on general athleticism, only for his teams to find out it, in his case, doesn’t translate to basketball. Pistons didn’t want him, and I doubt there’s any possibility they’ll make him a Q/O.
I wish DSJ luck hopefully a change of scenery does him good.
That’s what the Mavs said. Anyway, I hope he plays a bunch. We hold Detroit’s 2nd round pick.