Today, the NBA has some news of personnel adjustments, of which the Portland Trail Blazers have the most action.
The Trail Blazers reportedly announced that they cut guard Dennis Smith Jr. today, "regularizing" two-way contract player Trendon Watford. In fact, it is not surprising that Smith Jr. was cut, because he was recently injured again, and it was a ligament tear in his right elbow that was expected to be injured for four weeks.
Smith Jr. was actually a star of hope at the beginning, and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 9th pick in the first round at the 2017 NBA Draft, and was trained as a core player. But Smith Jr. is only athletic, not offensively efficient, and relies heavily on physical fitness, so he is regarded as a bankrupt version of Westbrook.
A year later, Doncic came to the Mavericks, and Smith Jr. quickly fell out of favor and was sent to the New York Knicks in exchange for Porzingis. Later, Smith Jr. got worse and worse, working with the Knicks and Detroit Pistons, almost unemployed. Last summer, Smith Jr. was offered a Blazers training camp contract, which was eventually converted to a formal contract.
But after playing less than 40 games with the Trail Blazers this season, Smith Jr. injured his right knee and was on a two-week suspension. Now with another injury to his right elbow, the Blazers had no patience and cut Smith Jr.
From the pride of heaven to almost no ball, Smith Jr. only spent 4 and a half seasons. Obviously, there is basically no market for defenders who can't shoot three-pointers today. Smith Jr. tore his cruciate ligaments in high school and has a history of major injuries, which is one of the reasons why NBA teams have a hard time trusting him anymore.
Perhaps, smith jr. should then set his sights on China's CBA League and come here as a foreign aid.