5. Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. has found his groove again in the month of January. Smith is putting up 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game this month, raising his rookie stock by the contest.
He recorded 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals in the Mavericks’ 98-75 upset of the Washington Wizards Monday night. The game broke Smith’s three-game streak of scoring 20 or more points in a contest, but the victory is more important.
The Mavericks are only 3-6 this month, but in victories, Smith has gotten noticeably more efficient as the season has progressed. He’s shooting 38.7 percent from the floor in losses and 43.9 percent from the floor in victories.
As Smith begins to figure things out on this Dallas Mavericks roster, he’s another rookie to keep an eye on, especially considering he’s one of only three to have recorded a triple-double this season.