Dennis Smith Jr. has transformed himself into a leader, a prominent voice within the Nets’ locker room and one of the only players on the roster Jacque Vaughn can depend on each night.

LAS VEGAS — The Dennis Smith Jr. the Nets are getting is an entirely different version than the one the Knicks saw. He entered the league — and the Garden — as an offensive-minded lottery pick.

Dennis Smith, Jr. always wanted to play. Growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he would spend most of his days out among the oak trees, playing football, baseball or basketball.

Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. runs the offense against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Dennis Smith Jr. says he’s a different player than the last time he played in New York. The Nets are counting on it. In parts of three seasons with the Knicks following the trade that sent ...

Dennis Schröder, Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith are done for the 2023-24 season, Nets interim head coach Kevin Ollie announced on Friday.

Smith Jr. had an extra ligament in his knee. If you didn’t even know that was possible, you’re certainly not alone, as only 20 percent of all humans have one, doctors told Smith Sr.

Dennis Smith Jr. understood he needed to work. In the first preseason game against the Pistons, he was effective as the first point guard off the bench. Smith Jr. scored twice in the pick-and-roll,… ...

Dennis Smith Jr.’s psyche was at an all-time low after a poor start to the regular season and being booed Saturday night. Now his world was rocked Sunday when his stepmother passed away.

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 25: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half at American Airlines Center on October 25, 2017 in ...

Dennis Smith Jr. sits in the second-floor lounge of a luxury apartment building in his new city of Dallas, minutes from his new home away from home, the Dallas Mavericks' training facility. The ...