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Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Nets guard eyeing NBA comeback with 76ers, Mavericks
The post Former Nets guard eyeing NBA comeback with 76ers, Mavericks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Former Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. is attempting an NBA comeback. Smith Jr. worked out for the Philadelphia 76ers during a two-day veteran minicamp this week, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The seven-year NBA veteran is also scheduled to work out for his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple reports. Advertisement Smith Jr. has been showcasing himself to NBA front offices throughout this season. Several teams attended a pro day he held in Orlando during the G League Showcase in December. He signed with the Wisconsin Herd ahead of the showcase, but never appeared in a game. The 27-year-old then signed with Real Madrid in January, appearing in four games before parting ways with the team one month later. Former Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. working out for 76ers, Mavericks Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports The Mavericks selected Smith Jr. ninth overall in 2017, only to trade him to the New York Knicks after two seasons. He played for two years with the Knicks before they traded him to the Detroit Pistons. He then signed with the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2021-22 season. Advertisement Smith Jr. played one season with Portland before signing with the Charlotte Hornets, where he reinvented himself as one of the NBA's better backcourt defenders. His last contract was a minimum deal with the Nets for the 2023-24 season. Smith Jr. saw a consistent role with Brooklyn's second unit, averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 43.5 percent shooting over 56 appearances. He was a resounding positive defensively, ranking first among all point guards in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus, per However, his shortcomings as a floor spacer continued to limit his role, as he shot 29.4 percent from three on 1.9 attempts per game. While Smith Jr.'s days as a full-time member of an NBA rotation appear to be in the rearview, he could be an intriguing depth piece for a team seeking a high-level point-of-attack defender on its bench. The former lottery pick isn't the first recent Nets guard to attempt an NBA comeback. Lonnie Walker IV signed with the 76ers midway through this season after spending the first half of the year overseas. He made 20 appearances with Philadelphia, averaging 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 42/35/80 shooting splits in 23.9 minutes per game. Related: Nets land one player on The Ringer's top 100 after tanking season Related: Brooklyn Nets' perfect outcome for No. 8 pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas A&M head coach discusses portal additions at SEC Spring Meetings
Although there is still plenty of time before the Texas A&M basketball program steps on the court in Reed Arena, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan has worked overtime to bring in new additions from the portal and retain talent from last year's roster. One of those transfers is former Texas Tech and Creighton guard Pop Isaacs, who averaged 16.3 points per game and shot 41% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc before suffering a season-ending injury last season. Isaacs brings athleticism and an innate shooting ability that could significantly enhance the Texas A&M roster in 2025. Advertisement Following the announcement of his commitment to the Aggies, McMillan spoke with TexAgs at the Southeastern Conference Spring Meeting about the addition of Isaacs to this season's squad. Another incredible portal addition came in the form of Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako, who withdrew his name from the 2025 NBA Draft to compete for the Aggies this season in Bryan-College Station, Texas. The former McDonald's All-American from Gladstone, New Jersey, is the highest-ranked recruit to ever sign at Texas A&M. Through two seasons with the Hooisers, Mgbako averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He was also one of five players to be invited to participate in this year's NBA combine due to his outstanding string of performances in the G League Showcase. Advertisement At the SEC Spring Meetings, McMillan also discussed his thoughts on Mgbako and what he brings to the table for the 2025-2026 roster. The Aggies are ranked as the No. 20 team in the country in transfer additions this spring, according to 247 Sports. With McMillan's first season coaching in the Maroon and White looming on the horizon, securing top-rated athletes like Isaacs and Mgbako is extremely integral in building a competitive squad with the astonishing depth in the conference. Bringing in guys through the transfer portal and showing them the film of what to expect from McMillan and his coaching style is another important part of what he is trying to build at Texas A&M moving forward. If there is one thing that is certain about McMillan, he is not shy of success. He boasts a 99-52 overall record as a head coach during his time at Samford, including two Southern Conference Championships and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M head coach discusses portal additions at spring meetings
