Knicks' Dennis Smith Jr. asks to play in G league

Buried on the Knicks’ bench, guard Dennis Smith Jr. has asked the front office to send him to the G League in order to receive playing time, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reports.

It’s a highly unusual request for a former lottery pick, but Smith hasn’t played in the past nine games. Smith, who also battled a thigh injury this season, has appeared in only three games.

Smith came to New York two years ago as part of Kristaps Porzingis deal with Dallas. He was viewed back then as a potential long-term solution at point guard but soon fell out of favor. Smith Jr. averaged 15.2 PPG and 5.2 APG in his rookie year with the Mavs.

Last season, he appeared in just 34 games, averaging 5.5 PPG and 2.9 APG with New York.

Smith is due to become an unrestricted free agent unless the Knicks extend a $7 million-plus qualifying offer, a highly unlikely scenario.

The Westchester Knicks are among the 18 teams participating in the G League season in Orlando. Myles Powell, Jared Harper and Theo Pinson are among the notables on the Westchester roster.