Dennis Smith Jr. planning to play in G League bubble with Westchester Knicks

League sources confirm Dennis Smith Jr. is planning to play in the G League bubble in Orlando, Fla., with the Westchester Knicks.

Smith Jr. asked to spend time with Westchester and the Knicks are on board. Smith Jr. had been out of New York’s rotation. And head coach Tom Thibodeau supported the move during his pre-game presser on Sunday. 

"I think it’s great. His attitude has been very positive," Thibodeau told reporters. "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."

The NY Daily News first reported the plan for the fourth-year guard.

The 23-year-old guard was given an opportunity to earn a spot in the Knicks' guard rotation coming out of training camp, but he hasn't been able to make his way into Tom Thibodeau's lineup on a nightly basis. 

Smith Jr., of course, was a centerpiece that the Knicks received in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. Smith Jr. averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds as a rookie with the Mavericks in 2017-18.

Thibodeau has been keeping the Knicks' rotation around eight-or-nine players this season for the most part, and a big reason why there have not been many minutes for Smith Jr. is the emergence of Immanuel Quickley, as the rookie has excelled in his first 16 games, averaging 11.6 points and 2.5 assists in 18.5 minutes per game. Quickley is coming off a 25-point performance in the Knicks' dominant win over the Cavs on Friday night.

The entire G League season will be played in the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando, with 18 teams competing. The season starts on February 10 and ends on March 6, with an abbreviated playoff from March 8-11.