The Hornets were looking for an experienced point guard behind their leader LaMelo Ball. Several names have leaked this off-season like those of Kemba Walkerpresumably hit by the Pistons or Isaiah Thomas, already author of a freelance in North Carolina last year. Finally, the front office opted for Dennis Smith Jr. Information launched by the insider Shams Charania and confirmed by the local journalist Rod Boone which specifies that the contract will be partially guaranteed. But, the Hornets roster is sorely lacking in depth on position one. DSJ therefore has a royal road to integrate the workforce which has only 13 players under guaranteed contract.
Draft ninth position by the Mavericks in 2017, Dennis Smith Jr confirmed his offensive potential in his rookie season by turning 15.2 points and 5.2 assists in 30 minutes. But, the arrival the following year of Luka Doncic changed the plans for the Texas franchise. To make room for the Slovenian, Dallas did not hesitate to sacrifice DSJ by changing it to the Knicks against Kristaps Porzingis. A loser loser deal with hindsight, the two players not even being in their adopted team anymore. On the contrary, after a season and a half Big Apple, New York also decides to part with him in the trade for Derrick Rose. Sent to Detroit, he was ultimately not retained for the summer of 2021. Signed on the sly by the Trailblazers last year, he ensured the minimum off the bench: 5.6 points 41.8% on shots, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 passes. His arrival in Charlotte already resonates as that of the last chance, while DSJ is not even 25 years old.