The Knicks have officially assigned guard Dennis Smith Jr. and wing Ignas Brazdeikis to the Westchester Knicks.
This update comes only one day after The Daily News reported that DSJ requested to be sent down to the G league after missing out on a spot in coach Thibs’ rotations. 23-year-old guard Jared Harper is also being sent to Westchester.
Coach Thibs said he’s on board with DSJ’s decision. He thinks it makes sense for DSJ and for the team.
“I think it’s great. His attitude has been very positive,” Thibodeau told the media on Sunday. “He’s worked hard in practice. It’s a great tool. It’s an opportunity for him to play in games, which I think is very important, also. I’m glad he’s approached it that way. I know he’s looking forward to it. I think it’s good for him and it’s good for us.”
For now, DSJ has lost out to Elfrid Payton and rookie Immanual Quickley in coach Thibs’ point guard rotations. Through his first 17 NBA games, Quickley is averaging 12.4 points and 2.5 assists on 36.5% shooting from three in only 19.1 minutes of action per game. He’s now put up back-to-back 25 point games, his latest coming Sunday afternoon against the West Coast powerhouse LA Clippers.
Brazdeikis and Harper, who have both played less than 10 minutes on the court this season, are also being assigned to Westchester. They will all look to find consistent in-game action for the Westchester Knicks quickly as the G League season is about to kick-off.
The season starts on February 10 and will be played entirely in the Disney World bubble in Orlando. The season will end on March 6 and the league will have a shortened playoff schedule from March 8-11.
Check out CP’s reaction to the DSJ news in his latest live stream below!
