All 30 NBA teams are one step closer to free agency now that the first week of June is in the books. While most of the upcoming offseason attention will be on veteran players whose contracts just expired, some overseas players will use the 2025 free agency period to attempt to make their way to North America, whether it's for a return or the first time.
Former Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Smith Jr. is one overseas name eyeing a return to the Association. The ex-2017 first-round pick just participated in the Philadelphia 76ers' veteran minicamp, and he's since landed a similar opportunity with a Western Conference contender.
Former Pistons G Dennis Smith Jr. to Join Mavericks Veteran Minicamp
On Friday, Dallas Hoops Journal's Grant Afseth reported that Smith "is among the players scheduled to participate in the Dallas Mavericks’ annual minicamp." With guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum set to hit free agency, along with Kyrie Irving needing to decide on his $44 million player option, the Mavericks are clearly looking to bolster their backcourt depth.
Having said that, Smith is more than familiar with Dallas and vice versa. The Mavericks drafted the former NC State product ninth overall nearly a decade ago. He went on to make 101 starts in a Mavs jersey, averaging 14.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and .406/.321/.695 splits before being traded to the New York Knicks in January 2019.
Smith's career has been all over the place since that trade, including stops in Detroit, Portland, Charlotte, and Brooklyn. His Pistons tenure lasted a total of 20 games during the 2020-21 season, resulting in his averaging a forgettable 7.3 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 41.5% from the floor and 35.2% from deep.
Smith most recently played overseas with the Spanish Liga ACB's Real Madrid after a failed NBA G League stint with the Wisconsin Herd. Much to his dismay, though, the 27-year-old veteran's time with Real Madrid lasted a few games without any memorable performances.
Whether or not Smith lands a new NBA contract when free agency begins remains to be seen. He was hardly serviceable when he was last in the league, and the fact that he struggled overseas is a cause for concern. At the same time, the fact that he's now had two veteran minicamp offers in a week suggests that some teams have faith that he can turn his career around.
At the end of the day, the next few weeks are worth monitoring to see where the former Pistons guard ends up. The 2025 NBA free agency period will officially begin on Sunday, July 6, at 6 p.m. ET.
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