MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Heat organization took a notable step to bolster their G-League roster on Wednesday by signing guard Dennis Smith Jr. to a deal with their affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Smith, a former first-round pick, was selected No. 9 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2017 NBA Draft, a selection that came ahead of future stars like Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, and OG Anunoby.

During his NBA career, Smith played nine seasons from 2017 through 2024, carving out a reputation as a dynamic, quick guard capable of scoring, facilitating, and injecting energy into lineups.

Across his NBA tenure, Smith averaged 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, reflecting a career that blended flashes of brilliance with the challenges of consistency and health.

His rookie season, 2017–18, remains his standout campaign, during which he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, showcasing his potential as a playmaking and scoring guard in a competitive league.

That year, Smith appeared in 69 games, averaging 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, providing immediate impact for a Dallas Mavericks team looking to build around youth and athleticism.

In 2019, Smith was traded from Dallas to the New York Knicks as part of a multi-player deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. to New York, marking the beginning of his journeyman phase in the NBA.

Smith spent three seasons with the Knicks, bringing speed, penetration, and a scoring spark off the bench while navigating a rebuilding franchise that faced constant roster turnover.

Following his time in New York, Smith was dealt to the Detroit Pistons, where he continued to provide athleticism and playmaking but struggled to secure a long-term role in the rotation.

From there, he bounced around the league, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets, each stop providing new opportunities to contribute in varied systems and under different coaching staffs.

Despite his peripatetic career, Smith maintained averages of 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, demonstrating his ability to create for himself and teammates at multiple stops.

Smith briefly returned to the Mavericks ahead of the 2025–26 season, but was waived on October 17 without appearing in a game, a reminder of the competitive nature of NBA rosters and the challenges veteran guards face in securing spots.

Prior to joining the Skyforce, Smith had been claimed by the Wisconsin Herd, where he appeared in five games and averaged 5.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, providing glimpses of his well-rounded game in limited minutes.

The signing with Sioux Falls represents a new chapter for Smith, offering him a platform to showcase his skills, regain consistency, and potentially earn another opportunity in the NBA with Miami or elsewhere.

Smith hails from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and played collegiately at NC State, where he was a standout for the Wolfpack and established himself as one of the ACC’s premier young guards.

During his lone season at NC State, Smith was named the 2017 ACC Rookie of the Year, leading his team with dynamic scoring, playmaking, and athleticism that made him a top NBA draft prospect.

As a one-and-done player, Smith leveraged his collegiate success into a lottery selection, immediately entering a league where expectations were high due to his explosive athleticism, speed, and scoring potential.

Throughout his professional journey, Smith has been known for his explosiveness off the dribble, elite quickness, and ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates, traits that make him a valuable addition to the Skyforce and potentially the Heat roster.

Miami’s G-League affiliate has historically served as a developmental platform for players like Smith, providing a competitive environment, coaching support, and the chance to refine skills for eventual NBA reintegration.

Smith’s signing also reflects Miami’s strategy of blending experienced professionals with younger prospects, creating a team that can compete at a high level in the G-League while grooming talent for the NBA stage.

For the Skyforce, Smith brings veteran leadership, NBA experience, and a high ceiling of athleticism, which can positively impact the development of younger players while maintaining competitive integrity in the G-League season.

Analysts note that Smith’s ability to run pick-and-rolls, penetrate defenses, and finish around the rim complements the Heat’s overarching philosophy of fast-paced, versatile basketball.

In addition to scoring, Smith has demonstrated playmaking abilities, with the capacity to orchestrate offense, find open shooters, and read defensive rotations, skills that are invaluable in both developmental and professional contexts.

Smith’s career has also been marked by resilience, bouncing back from trades, injuries, and limited roles to continue competing at a high level, an attribute that will serve him well with the Skyforce.

Miami’s organization benefits by having a player with NBA experience on the G-League roster, creating mentorship opportunities for young guards and wings who aspire to reach the league’s highest level.

The Skyforce, under the guidance of Heat development staff, can use Smith’s knowledge of professional systems to accelerate the growth of prospects while maintaining competitiveness in the G-League standings.

For fans and scouts, the addition of Dennis Smith Jr. is intriguing, as it represents a player capable of flashes of NBA-caliber performance, particularly when surrounded by a system that suits his strengths.

Smith’s combination of speed, athleticism, and experience makes him a candidate for a midseason call-up should injuries or roster moves create opportunities for the Heat at the NBA level.

Moreover, the signing underscores the Heat’s commitment to deepening talent pipelines, blending developmental focus with competitive ambition, a hallmark of Miami’s approach in recent years.

As Smith begins his tenure with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, observers will monitor his performance closely, assessing whether he can recapture the form that made him a top lottery pick and an All-Rookie Second Team selection.

Ultimately, Smith’s journey from NC State standout to NBA veteran and now G-League signee reflects both the challenges of sustaining an NBA career and the opportunities afforded by developmental leagues to re-establish professional credibility.

For Dennis Smith Jr., the Skyforce represents not just a new contract, but a chance to prove that his combination of talent, athleticism, and experience can once again translate to meaningful impact at the NBA level.