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OKC Thunder: 2 second chance free agents to consider pursuing

By Mark Nilon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
OKC Thunder (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

OKC Thunder second chance target No. 1) Dennis Smith Jr.

Like we alluded to, the names found on this list will not be top-billed talents, and the use of the term “second chance player” should have already hinted at the fact that we’ll be seeing talents that have a perceived minimum value on the free agency market.

Dennis Smith Jr. certainly falls into this category.

Traded away from the New York Knicks in the mid-season deal that saw Derrick Rose head from Detroit to the Big Apple, the fourth-year point guard’s stock has plummeted drastically from where it once was just a few short seasons ago

Selected ninth overall back in the 2017 NBA Draft, Dennis Smith Jr. was revered by many as “the next big thing”, drawing top-notch comparisons to the likes of Baron Davis and even former OKC Thunder great, Russell Westbrook.

In possession of off-the-charts athleticism and impressive strength, the hype was real for the NC State product and, through his first season in the association, it looked as though the praise was being backed up by his production.

Through 69 games played with the Dallas Mavericks in 2017-18, Smith posted per-game averages of 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and a steal on 40 percent shooting from the floor. With his performance, the point guard found himself voted onto the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and finished fifth in the running for NBA Rookie of the Year.

The future seemed bright for DSJ heading into year two but then, with the arrival of Luka Doncic, things changed a bit.

Of course, one cannot fault the Mavericks for their shift in focus, but once the Slovenian-born baller made his way to the team, all eyes were on him as the team’s lead guard, thus making Smith Jr. a valuable trade asset to use in an effort to bring on players that better compliment Doncic which, in the end, became Kristaps Porzingis.

The guard was then traded to the (at the time) crumbling Knickerbockers where, be it due to poor management, coaching, or simply his own volition, he fizzled out of the rotation and, as we already stated, out of New York.

Now heading into restricted free agency, Dennis Smith Jr. could easily find himself being snatched up at a relatively low price, as his fit in Detroit already seemed a bit wonky due to the presence of their most recent lottery selection in point guard Killian Hayes.

His value is incredibly low, but his potential is still rather high, especially considering his production when being under the guidance of a good coach (Rick Carlisle) and his still youthful age of 23 and, thus, could be an intriguing player for the OKC Thunder to consider pursuing this offseason.

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