June 05, 2025
Former NBA lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. is among players working out for the Sixers in a two-day veteran minicamp, according to a report on Thursday evening from Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Former NBA lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr is working out for the #Sixers, according to sources. Smith is among several participants at the team’s two-day veteran minicamp. pic.twitter.com/Gljlgvk0dj
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 5, 2025
Smith, 27, was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Many had high hopes for the NC State product, whose elite athleticism lended itself to exciting plays. But Smith never developed his shaky jump-shototing, and as he started bouncing from team to team, his overall offensive utility dwindled. Smith is a career 29.8 percent three-point shooter and never became a significant shot creator for others.
However, in recent years Smith has bought into honing in on the defensive end of the floor, where his strength and athletic tools have enabled him to become a difference-maker. However, Smith went unsigned in 2024-25 after spending the prior season in Brooklyn, where he appeared in 56 games for the Nets.
Pompey reported an extensive list of other players also participating in the minicamp:
Eugene Omoruyi, Malcolm Hill, Adama Sanago, Alondes Williams, Malik Williams, Armando Bacot, Javonte Cooke, Judah Mintz and Leaky Black are some of the participants, according to sources. https://t.co/gyNjg1kEq8
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 5, 2025
The most noteworthy name here is probably Judah Mintz, who was surprisingly undrafted last season and shined with the Sixers in Summer League before submitting a strong rookie season in the G League for the Delaware Blue Coats.
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