Dennis Smith

Smith has endured quite the fall since being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2017-18 draft by the Mavericks, with the guard's numbers taking a notable tumble across the board over 34 games in New York last season. Smith averaged a career-low 15.8 minutes per game, leading to new low-water marks of 5.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 34.1 percent shooting, including 29.6 percent from three-point range. While those numbers and Smith's projected season-opening role as the fourth point guard behind Elfrid Payton, Frank Ntilikina and Austin Rivers notably depress his fantasy outlook, Smith is still an athletically gifted player who just turned 23 and impressed as a rookie just two seasons ago with 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal over 69 games. Therefore, he may be worth a late-round flyer in very deep formats in the event opportunity opens up for him in New York or elsewhere.

Smith enters 2019 atop the Knicks' depth chart at point guard after being selected in the lottery by Dallas in 2017. Once considered a cornerstone piece of the rebuilding Mavericks, Smith was shipped to New York as part of the massive Kristaps Porzingis deal shortly before the February trade deadline. He played 32 games for Dallas and 21 for New York, missing a total of 29 games due to back issues and illness. After a strong rookie campaign in which he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 threes and 1.0 steals per game, Smith took a step back in most categories as a sophomore, averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 threes. It wasn't all bad last season, however, as Smith made small strides in his efficiency. Though shooting still remains an area of improvement, Smith's shooting averages in 2018-19 while with Dallas (44 FG%, 34.4 3P%) were much improved. Smith had a tumultuous finish to the season, marred by illness and trade rumors in January and a recurring back issue after arriving in New York. While learning to fit in with his new team, he experienced an end-of-season slump that ultimately brought his season averages down in shooting and rebounding. With a full offseason to get healthy and practice with the overhauled Knicks roster, a big bounce-back performance could be in store. The Knicks have added some quality players in RJ Barrett and Julius Randle to play alongside Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, and Smith will be orchestrating the entire offense.

After being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Smith put together a very impressive rookie campaign. He started all 69 games he played in and was an immediate playmaker, both as a scorer and as a distributor. Smith's 15.2 points per game were second only to Harrison Barnes (18.9 PPG) on the team and he also added a respectable 5.2 assists. Rounding out his stat line was averages of 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.5 three-pointers, so Smith also helped out with some peripheral categories that Fantasy owners may struggle to get from other guards. The biggest downfall in his game was his efficiency as a scorer. Smith shot just 39.5 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from the three-point line and just 69.4 percent from the charity stripe, all of which are well below where he needs to be to take his Fantasy value to a new level. With another offseason to work on his shot and overall game, there's a decent chance the 20-year-old is able to show at least minor improvements there. The Mavericks did add some intriguing pieces this offseason, most notably being DeAndre Jordan's signing in free agency and the selection of Luka Doncic with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Doncic adds another seasoned scorer after he locked up EuroLeague MVP honors with Real Madrid last year and should be able to contribute immediately, while Jordan provides an athletic center that should get plenty of lobs from Smith when he drives to the basket. As a result, Smith's assist totals could rise with more talent surrounding him. His per-game points production likely won't budge much, but considering his age and designation as a building block of the future, Smith should have the ball in his hands plenty and will get as much run as possible. If Fantasy owners can overlook the poor percentages, Smith should carry utility across a plethora of formats.

After just one year at North Carolina State where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals across 34.8 minutes, Smith opted to enter the 2017 NBA Draft as one of the top point guards in the nation. He ended up falling to the Mavericks with the ninth overall pick and is expected to bring a rare combination of size, speed, scoring and passing ability. The uber-athletic Smith is often considered a score-first point guard and he's especially dangerous around the rim, finishing through contact and throwing down thunderous dunks regularly. During the Orlando Summer League, Smith showed just why experts were so high on the 6-foot-3 guard, as he dominated with averages of 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals. While coach Rick Carlisle hasn't officially announced it, Smith should immediately enter the starting lineup at point guard for the Mavericks, sending Yogi Ferrell to a bench role. Smith's playmaking potential will be crucial in drawing defenders away from guys like Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews and Dirk Nowitzki, something the team lacked a year prior. In addition, his ability to score both in the paint and outside the three-point line will be greatly welcomed to a Mavericks' team currently going through a mini rebuild. That should make Smith one of the most intriguing rookies to both watch and use in Fantasy leagues. The potential to slide in as the Mavericks' second best option offensively behind Harrison Barnes and an already solid all-around skill set in place, could make Smith one of the bigger surprises early on in the season, though guys like Ferrell and Seth Curry could eat up some of his minutes every once in awhile.