Only 18 months after being selected 9th overall by Dallas in the 2017 NBA draft, Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr may be on the move sooner rather than later.
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly exploring their options in terms of the young guard's trade value and have been in talks with several teams so far. While they are open to accepting a deal of "good value", the Mavericks have backtracked on their word and are apparently optimistic that they can move forward and build around a duo of Dennis Smith Jr and Luka Doncic. But when it comes to buying or selling on this, I'm not buying in on their optimism.
Smith Jr has been inactive for a string of games recently and many speculate that this is linked to the Mavericks closing in on shipping Smith Jr elsewhere. On top of this, DSJ will not travel with the Mavericks in their upcoming road trip against the Pacers and the Bucks which leads me to believe that the Mavericks are getting closer to finding a deal.
Luka Doncic's rise to stardom appears to have made Smith Jr redundant on a Mavericks team that has gone from a bottom-feeder to competing for a western conference playoff spot in the blink of an eye. While Smith Jr remains naturally talented and uber-athletic, his fit beside Doncic isn't ideal.
When it comes to Dennis Smith Jr, the Mavericks are going to find it tough to move him for several reasons. Firstly, the NBA is in the golden age of guard talent. Many teams have an all-star calibre point guard under contract and those who don't already have a young guard to build around such as Sacramento with De'Aaron Fox, Atlanta with Trae Young and Chicago with Kris Dunn. Secondly, since it is well-known that the Mavericks have the utmost interest in moving Smith Jr, trade partners know they have the upper hand and won't be offering out their best assets.
Despite how tough it may be for Dallas to find a deal they believe is worth making, I have put together a few realistic trade scenarios surrounding Dennis Smith Jr with teams that have been in contact with Dallas as of recently.
Phoenix Suns
Mavericks Receive:
Much like the Phoenix Suns, the Orlando Magic are in desperate need of a point guard with a slither of talent and/or youth. While the Magic have vastly improved since last season and for the first time since the Dwight Howard era look like they could possibly sneak into the playoffs, they still lack identity and the explosiveness and craftiness of Dennis Smith Jr could help them develop their identity.
While Fournier may be only 26, he's a well-seasoned NBA veteran that would definitely help the Mavericks make a push for the playoffs in a heavily competitive western conference. Fournier has had an off-year in terms of his efficiency but a change in scenery may be just what he needs.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons guard and wing play has been horrid in comparison to their star big man duo of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond and has been the reason for their struggles as of recently. Dennis Smith Jr and Wesley Matthews would bring a much needed offensive spark to a Pistons team that has fallen short too often this season. Wesley Matthews is a significant upgrade over both Johnson and Kennard and is an expiring deal that could give Detroit more flexibility this summer as they still have Blake Griffins monster contract on books.
Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard would add great depth to the Mavericks as they look to bolster their roster in preparation for a playoff push in the second half of the season. Reggie Jackson has cooled off from deep as the season has grown older but showed signs of being effective off the ball guard and may be a better temporary fit beside Doncic while Dallas searches for their backcourt partner of the future.
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly exploring their options in terms of the young guard's trade value and have been in talks with several teams so far. While they are open to accepting a deal of "good value", the Mavericks have backtracked on their word and are apparently optimistic that they can move forward and build around a duo of Dennis Smith Jr and Luka Doncic. But when it comes to buying or selling on this, I'm not buying in on their optimism.
Smith Jr has been inactive for a string of games recently and many speculate that this is linked to the Mavericks closing in on shipping Smith Jr elsewhere. On top of this, DSJ will not travel with the Mavericks in their upcoming road trip against the Pacers and the Bucks which leads me to believe that the Mavericks are getting closer to finding a deal.
Luka Doncic's rise to stardom appears to have made Smith Jr redundant on a Mavericks team that has gone from a bottom-feeder to competing for a western conference playoff spot in the blink of an eye. While Smith Jr remains naturally talented and uber-athletic, his fit beside Doncic isn't ideal.
When it comes to Dennis Smith Jr, the Mavericks are going to find it tough to move him for several reasons. Firstly, the NBA is in the golden age of guard talent. Many teams have an all-star calibre point guard under contract and those who don't already have a young guard to build around such as Sacramento with De'Aaron Fox, Atlanta with Trae Young and Chicago with Kris Dunn. Secondly, since it is well-known that the Mavericks have the utmost interest in moving Smith Jr, trade partners know they have the upper hand and won't be offering out their best assets.
Despite how tough it may be for Dallas to find a deal they believe is worth making, I have put together a few realistic trade scenarios surrounding Dennis Smith Jr with teams that have been in contact with Dallas as of recently.
Dennis Smith Jr was selected 9th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft
Suns Receive:
Dennis Smith Jr (21) - $3.8M, 3 years
Mavericks Receive:
Mikal Bridges (22) - $3.6M, 4 years
Elie Okobo (21) - $1.2M, 4 years
Phoenix has a glaring hole at the point guard position and whenever a one-guard is available on the market, you know Phoenix is picking up the phone. While Phoenix has experimented with Devin Booker being the primary playmaker early this season, I don't believe that "Point-Book" is the long-term solution for the Suns at point guard.
In any trade surrounding Dennis Smith Jr, I imagine that Dallas will have off-ball spacers in high priority. Both Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo provide depth in the backcourt and wing and match the timeline of Dallas' young core. Bridges' appeal comes in his 3 and D skillset which would compliment Luka Doncic's high on-ball usage.
Orlando Magic
Phoenix has a glaring hole at the point guard position and whenever a one-guard is available on the market, you know Phoenix is picking up the phone. While Phoenix has experimented with Devin Booker being the primary playmaker early this season, I don't believe that "Point-Book" is the long-term solution for the Suns at point guard.
In any trade surrounding Dennis Smith Jr, I imagine that Dallas will have off-ball spacers in high priority. Both Mikal Bridges and Elie Okobo provide depth in the backcourt and wing and match the timeline of Dallas' young core. Bridges' appeal comes in his 3 and D skillset which would compliment Luka Doncic's high on-ball usage.
Orlando Magic
Magic Receive:
Dennis Smith Jr (21) - $3.8M, 3 years
Wesley Matthews (32) - $18.6M , 1 year
Mavericks Receive:
Evan Fournier (26) - $17M, 3 years
D.J. Augustin (31) - $7.3 M, 2 years
Much like the Phoenix Suns, the Orlando Magic are in desperate need of a point guard with a slither of talent and/or youth. While the Magic have vastly improved since last season and for the first time since the Dwight Howard era look like they could possibly sneak into the playoffs, they still lack identity and the explosiveness and craftiness of Dennis Smith Jr could help them develop their identity.
While Fournier may be only 26, he's a well-seasoned NBA veteran that would definitely help the Mavericks make a push for the playoffs in a heavily competitive western conference. Fournier has had an off-year in terms of his efficiency but a change in scenery may be just what he needs.
Detroit Pistons
Pistons Receive:
Dennis Smith Jr (21) - $3.8M, 3 years
Wesley Matthews (32) - $18.6M, 1 year
Wesley Matthews (32) - $18.6M, 1 year
Devin Harris (35) - $1.5M, 1 year
Mavericks Receive:
Reggie Jackson (28) - $17M, 2 years
Reggie Jackson (28) - $17M, 2 years
Stanley Johnson (22) - $3.9M, 1 year
Luke Kennard (22) - $3.3M, 3 years
The Pistons guard and wing play has been horrid in comparison to their star big man duo of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond and has been the reason for their struggles as of recently. Dennis Smith Jr and Wesley Matthews would bring a much needed offensive spark to a Pistons team that has fallen short too often this season. Wesley Matthews is a significant upgrade over both Johnson and Kennard and is an expiring deal that could give Detroit more flexibility this summer as they still have Blake Griffins monster contract on books.
Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard would add great depth to the Mavericks as they look to bolster their roster in preparation for a playoff push in the second half of the season. Reggie Jackson has cooled off from deep as the season has grown older but showed signs of being effective off the ball guard and may be a better temporary fit beside Doncic while Dallas searches for their backcourt partner of the future.
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