The Detroit Pistons officially completed their transaction with the New York Knicks earlier today, sending Derrick Rose to the Big Apple in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr. and a second round draft pick in 2021.
Shortly afterwards, Smith Jr. took to social media to post a special message of thanks and excitement.
“Thank you to all the fans for the love and support,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’m excited to start a new chapter in Detroit and get to work with this organization, my coaches, and teammates. Ready for the opportunity!!
Smith Jr. played collegiately at NC State, and was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 9th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. He would be sent to the Knicks in late January of 2019 in the deal that brought Kristaps Porziņģis and former Michigan Wolverine Trey Burke to Dallas.
In 159 career games, Smith Jr. has averaged 12.4 points per game and 4.5 assists per game.
BONUS CONTENT
Jeff Okudah makes donation to help child injured in crash
The day prior to Super Bowl LV, Kansas City Chiefs LB coach Eric Reid was involved in a multi-vehicle crash near Arrowhead Stadium that left a five year-old child with critical injuries.
The family of the child set up a Go-Fund-Me page to assist with the subsequent medical expenses, and have already raised a substantial amount of money; over 8,000 people raised a little over $326,000 As of Monday afternoon over an initial goal of $100,000.
One of the biggest donations came from none other than
More than 8,000 people have come together to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars in a GoFundMe for the 5-year-old who was critically injured in the Britt Reid car crash last week.
Among the biggest donors: Lions corner Jeff Okudah https://t.co/9zi6t4c1Ip pic.twitter.com/66Un2WvZxc
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) February 8, 2021
The child, who is named Ariel, has yet to wake up after suffering bleeding and swelling on her brain.
Reid, who is the son of head coach Andy Reid, also remains hospitalized. He’s also currently under investigation for driving under the influence at the time of the crash.
Those wishing to donate can do so here.