NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

New York Knicks: Dennis Smith Jr.

It was just two years ago when fans of the Dallas Mavericks were ecstatic watching Dennis Smith Jr. fall into their lap on draft night.

Under a different set of circumstances, he may have been their long-term solution at the point guard spot, but the arrival of Luka Doncic sealed his fate, where he wound up a member of the New York Knicks.

Having tied the NBA mark with the highest-inch vertical, Smith is an incredible athlete. He’s not very overpowering at 6’3” and 195 pounds, but his explosive tendencies allow him to get downhill and attack the basket with ferocity.

The key for Smith moving forward isn’t just an improved outside shot but an overall better judgment with his shot selection. Far too often he charges headstrong to the rim with little a lane to exploit that prompts an ill-advised shot.

Despite shooting just 31.6 percent from beyond the arc so far in his career, Smith has taken 4.5 attempts per game.

The man himself has stated a plan to remake his jump shot and it’s not hard to see how much he’d benefit without defenses daring him to let fly. Newfound confidence would allow him to punish those who sag off while attacking the ones who stick to him.

DSJ started his career off right in being named to the All-Rookie Second Team, but his sophomore campaign was far bumpier. As great as Doncic was, his presence forced Smith off the ball far more than he’s accustomed to, and he struggled because of it, leading to a trade.

He was the highlight in the return package for Kristaps Porzingis now on a team moving forward with its rebuild.

Smith has a lot of edges in need of smoothing over, but another tangible leap in both production and efficiency will have Knicks fans excited about the man they view as New York’s point guard of the future.