Dennis Smith Jr. has transformed himself into a leader, a prominent voice within the Nets’ locker room and one of the only players on the roster Jacque Vaughn can depend on each night.

LAS VEGAS — The Dennis Smith Jr. the Nets are getting is an entirely different version than the one the Knicks saw. He entered the league — and the Garden — as an offensive-minded lottery pick.

Dennis Smith, Jr. always wanted to play. Growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he would spend most of his days out among the oak trees, playing football, baseball or basketball.

Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. runs the offense against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Dennis Smith Jr. is Ready to Lead After Finding His Footing. During the 2022-23 season, Smith played off the bench, supporting LaMelo Ball on the Charlotte Hornets.

Dennis Smith Jr. says he’s a different player than the last time he played in New York. The Nets are counting on it. In parts of three seasons with the Knicks following the trade that sent ...

Dennis Schröder, Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith are done for the 2023-24 season, Nets interim head coach Kevin Ollie announced on Friday.. Schröder had been dealing with right Achilles ...

Dennis Smith Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Nets last summer. The 6-foot-2 guard was a priority for Brooklyn in free agency.

Former NBA point guard Dennis Smith Jr. recently revealed the Dallas Mavericks’ threat of a trade. He will be turning 27 on Monday, November 25, known as Thanksgiving in the United States.

Dennis Smith Jr. Taunts Mavs After Drilling Dagger Three. Again, the March 26 loss was Dallas’ second-straight to the Hornets, who hold the NBA’s fourth worst record.