Dallas Mavericks: Should they bring back Dennis Smith Jr. this offseason?

Case against Dallas Mavericks bringing back Dennis Smith Jr. this offseason

In the two and a half seasons since leaving the Mavericks, Smith Jr. has not found his footing. He has played a total of 78 games during that stretch. The 23-year-old averaged 8.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 20.0 minutes a night. He has connected on just 38.7 percent from the field and 30.3 percent of his 3-pointers.

Smith Jr. has never played on a winning team in the NBA. He saw time in three games for the Knicks last season before being traded in February. That is the only team he was on that has made the postseason during his first four years in the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks have their sights set on making a deep playoff run. Adding a backup point guard with zero playoff experience does not align with that goal.

Remember, the Mavs traded Smith Jr. to New York for a reason. The 23-year-old needs the ball in his hands to be successful. He is a below-average floor spacer and his jumper remains a work-in-progress. Dallas did not love the fit next to Luka Doncic three years ago, and Smith Jr. has done nothing to change that opinion.

Dennis Smith Jr. struggles with his efficiency and is considered a below-average defender. The 6’2 guard would have to make a massive leap this offseason to help the Dallas Mavericks be more competitive in the 2021-2022 campaign.