With the 2017 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, team workouts are in full force for prospects the teams are interested in selecting. While these workouts are crucial for every franchise in making their decision, it is all the more important for teams that hold a lottery selection.
One of the teams desperate for talent out of this loaded draft is the New York Knicks who hold the 8th overall pick. The Knicks will have plenty of options from that spot and one of the perceived potential selections has been point guard Dennis Smith Jr. out of North Carolina State University. Smith Jr. was expected to work out for the Knicks on Wednesday but for whatever reason, it didn’t take place according to ESPN’s Ian Begley:
North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith Jr. was expected to work out for the Knicks on Wednesday but the workout did not take place, per sources familiar with the matter. It is unclear why Smith Jr. did not work out for the Knicks but he was in New York and, according to a report published by ZagsBlog, met with team president Phil Jackson while in town. It’s a bit odd for Smith Jr. not to work out for the Knicks while in New York. He is one of the guards whom members of the organization view as a potential No. 8 pick. Malik Monk – another guard on NYK’s radar – is expected to work out for the club. As is French guard Frank Ntilikina, provided his French club finishes its season in time.
Smith Jr. is considered as one of the best point guards coming out of this draft, high praise in a class oozing with backcourt talent. Though the 19-year-old didn’t work out for New York, him meeting with President Phil Jackson could be indicative of his standing with the team.
Smith Jr. has the talent to make some major noise at the next level and in his single collegiate campaign, he averaged 18.1 points while handing out 6.2 assists. Whether it be in New York or elsewhere, Smith Jr. should build a solid NBA career for himself starting next season.
