I remember watching Dennis Smith Jr. during his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, and thinking he was destined for stardom. That explosive athleticism, the viral dunks, the raw potential—it felt like we were witnessing the emergence of a future All-Star. Fast forward to today, and his NBA journey has taken more twists than a playoff series. The recent news about RR Pogoy sitting out for TNT after his explosive start to Game Two in the Philippine Basketball Association got me thinking about how quickly fortunes can change in professional basketball. One moment you're the main attraction, the next you're watching from the sidelines, wondering when your next opportunity will come.

Smith's statistical decline tells part of the story. After averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists during his rookie year, his numbers gradually decreased to just 6.6 points and 2.9 assists during his last full NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers. The shooting percentages were particularly concerning—he never cracked 40% from the field after his first two seasons, and his three-point shooting hovered around the 30% mark. These aren't just numbers on a stat sheet; they represent real limitations in today's spacing-oriented NBA. I've always believed that for athletic guards who rely on explosion, developing a reliable jumper is what separates the starters from the bench players, and unfortunately, Smith's shooting mechanics never quite caught up to his athletic gifts.

What fascinates me about Smith's situation is how it contrasts with players who successfully reinvented themselves. Watching the PBA playoffs, I noticed how veteran players like Pogoy adjust their games as they age, developing off-ball movement and defensive awareness to remain valuable even when their athletic prime passes. Smith showed flashes of this during his Detroit stint, particularly on the defensive end where he averaged 1.3 steals per 36 minutes, but consistency remained elusive. The modern NBA demands role players who can excel in specific areas—3-and-D wings, floor-spacing bigs, defensive specialists—and Smith's game never quite found that definitive niche.

I'll be honest—I'm rooting for him. There's something compelling about redemption stories in sports, and Smith has shown enough glimpses to suggest he might have another chapter left. His G League performances last season were encouraging, with several 25+ point games that demonstrated he still has that scoring burst when given opportunity. The question isn't really about talent—we know he has that—but about fit and mindset. Teams today carry 15 roster spots, and there's absolutely room for a third guard who can provide energy, defense, and occasional offensive sparks. Smith just needs to find the right situation where the coaching staff believes in his potential and is willing to work through the inconsistencies.

The financial aspect can't be ignored either. After earning nearly $20 million in his first six seasons, Smith might need to accept minimum contracts or partially guaranteed deals to get back in the league. That psychological adjustment can be challenging for former lottery picks, but numerous players have extended their careers this way. What encourages me is that Smith is still only 26 years old—younger than several players just entering their prime. He's not some aging veteran trying to hang on; he's a player who should theoretically be approaching his peak years with valuable experience under his belt.

Looking at recent comebacks, we've seen players like Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard reinvent themselves after being written off. The common thread in these success stories is adaptability—accepting smaller roles, focusing on specific contributions, and bringing positive energy to the locker room. From what I've gathered through various reports and interviews, Smith has maintained good relationships with teammates and coaches throughout his journey, which suggests he has the temperament to handle a reserve role. The physical tools haven't completely disappeared either—his combine-record 48-inch vertical might have diminished slightly, but he still possesses elite athleticism by NBA standards.

The overseas option always exists, and we've seen many American players revitalize their careers in Europe or Asia before returning to the NBA. But something tells me Smith wants to prove he can make it work in the league that drafted him. His social media activity suggests he's been putting in work during the offseason, focusing particularly on his shooting mechanics and decision-making. If he can develop into even a 34% three-point shooter while maintaining his defensive intensity, he becomes a much more viable rotation piece.

Ultimately, NBA comebacks depend as much on circumstance as talent. The right team suffering the right injuries at the right time could open a door that seemed permanently closed. We've seen it happen repeatedly—players written off suddenly finding themselves in perfect situations that showcase their remaining skills. For Smith, it might take a training camp invitation and some preseason performances to remind people what he can offer. The margin between being in the NBA and out of it is often thinner than people realize, sometimes coming down to a single general manager's belief in your potential.

As someone who's followed his career since his NC State days, I remain cautiously optimistic. The NBA landscape changes rapidly, and teams are always searching for affordable talent that can provide specific skills. Smith's athleticism and defensive potential still stand out, even in a league overflowing with talent. If he can package those attributes with improved decision-making and a more reliable outside shot, I believe we haven't seen the last of Dennis Smith Jr. in the NBA. It might not be the superstar trajectory we once envisioned, but contributing to winning basketball as a valuable rotation player would represent a successful comeback story in its own right.