New York Knicks: Dennis Smith Jr. shows what he’s been doing this off-season (VIDEO)

The New York Knicks are putting a lot of trust and faith in third-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. He’s an exciting athlete that is capable of magnificent dunks and game-changing plays, but his inconsistencies have hurt him and his potential the last two years.

Dennis has averaged just 14.5 points per game since his inception in 2017, actually seeing his averages decline after his rookie season. However, he will be the point guard for the Knicks moving forward.

Signing veteran PG Elfrid Payton and retaining third-year option Frank Ntilikina has given the Knicks a trio of inconsistent but capable point guards. Each one has their strengths, but Smith Jr. offers the most in terms of production and defensive quality. We have seen him take over games and show flashes of elite play, but making it a more frequent occurrence is the trick.

Dennis has worked this off-season tirelessly in Tarrytown, NY to refine his jump shot and perimeter shooting efficiency.

Aside from the fundamentals he has been developing, he has worked to strengthen his core and other muscle group things to avoid injury. Injuries have hurt his progression and consistency in the NBA. Working on his stamina and strengthening his body as a whole should help him avoid picking up ailments that can hurt his flow and rhythm next season.

While Smith Jr. isn’t the biggest player in the league and doesn’t have popping muscles, he’s incredibly athletic and quick on his feet. The physical traits he has gives him an advantage over other point guards, especially stiff ones like Ntilikina. Moving forward, I fully expect him to take a big developmental jump, but the priority is his health and ensuring he can handle a full workload.