Former lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. appears to have the 14th spot on the Trail Blazers‘ regular season roster all but locked up, writes Jason Quick of The Athletic.
The Trail Blazers entered training camp with 13 players on fully guaranteed contracts, and they’re unlikely to carry a 15th man on a permanent basis for luxury-tax reasons. That left Smith competing with Marquese Chriss, Quinn Cook, and Patrick Patterson for what may just be one available roster spot, and he has impressed the team so far this fall.
“There have been some behind-closed-doors practices and games where some of the other guys have stood out or played well, too,” Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said on Monday after Smith put up 18 points and seven assists against Sacramento. “But, you know, you can’t hide what you saw today. I mean, (Smith) was really good.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Tony Jones of The Athletic takes a look at the impact that veteran forward Rudy Gay could have with the Jazz this season, both on and off the court. “He’s been a real leader for us so far,” Hassan Whiteside said of Gay. “He’s someone who is making a difference.”
- Trading Derrick Favors and signing Gay will give the Jazz more flexibility to play against smaller lineups, John Hollinger of The Athletic notes in his season preview for the team, adding that he wouldn’t be surprised if Gay is Utah’s de facto backup center in the playoffs. Hollinger adds that the Jazz could reduce their luxury tax bill by unloading a couple smaller contracts in deadline trades and replacing them with prorated minimum signings.
- Hollinger also previewed the Thunder‘s season, pointing out that the team remains $22MM below the salary floor for 2021/22, putting OKC in great position to accommodate a salary dump at the deadline.
Said when DSJ signed with Portland it was a great deal for both.
DSJ needed a team who would help him and he could trust. He’s still only 23 and such a solid player but had been ruined by the Knicks. Portland needed a back up point guard and some young players with potential.
Simons had often been given the back up PG role and struggled to run an offence.
DSJ has only spent 4 seasons in the league and as a rookie put up 15-5-4 not shooting that efficiently and in his second year dropped his attempts and improved his percentages, then was traded to New York which ruined his promising career.
Once get got a fresh start in Detroit he was free again, in 20 minutes he averaged 7-4-3 shooting well from 3 and the FT line.
I believe in Portland under Billups and Dame Lillard he will grow and develop. Get his confidence back, start shooting better, be able to run the offence for the second unit, and mature as a player.
Ruined by the Knicks? This is now his fourth team in five years. He played a grand total of 58 games in New York. I’m all for bashing the Knicks when they deserve it, but DSJ’s game is the same now as it was in college: shoot-first PG who shoots a low percentage and turns the ball over a lot. Knicks didn’t ruin anything.
Before anyone tries to ret-con that he was good in Dallas, he shot 40% overall, 32% from 3, and 69.5% from the line. Compare his per 36 minutes stats or his advanced stats from his days in Dallas to his time in New York and they’re not much different. There’s a reason Dallas happily traded him away (and Detroit didn’t bother to re-sign him).
All the best to DSJ but the Knicks are not to blame here.
First Season in Dallas shooting 40/32/70 then second season 44/34.5/70, considerable improvement.
Then traded to New York, shot 41/29/57 in 20 odd games then next season has his minutes drop in half and shot 34/30/51 which as you could see changing teams totally ruined his confidence and his game.
Then re finds himself a little in Detroit going 7-4-3 roughly in 20 mins and improved to 41.5/35/70.
So good averages bad efficiency first year, improves efficiency the second year, traded to NY and falls off a cliff. Then once let free to Detroit goes back to his improved numbers and now in Portland he’s looking promising after getting some confidence back.
Just you wait until he goes 12-5-4 shooting something like 43-35-70 in Portland
If “giving a player a chance” requires that he be started, indeed trigger the offense… that’s more than chance-giving. That is using your games for training not winning; promoting based on wishing prematurely. He could be better now. Portland revolves around a guard taking his shot whenever possible.
Man, I would prefer my PG to give more assists than rebounds, but… hey it is what it is, right?
DSJ in his per season averages has never averaged more rebounds than assists…
I wanted Dennis smith jr on the lakers. I always felt with the right coaching. He can be a decent player
I’m happy if DSJ makes a team. He couldn’t handle NY so backing up Dame is a great situation.
DSJ or any blazer off stats are not Portland pre-season main issue …
I’ve been very happy with the new additions the Jazz added this off-season. Rudy Gay is going to make the Jazz even better! He’s so chill and intelligent. You can tell he’s analyzing everything and helping guys on the bench while he’s resting up. Will be fun to watch how he is implemented by coach.