The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly exploring different trade options for point guard Dennis Smith Jr., according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. So far, the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns have been the two teams that have engaged in ongoing talks with the Mavs about the second-year guard.
The Dallas Mavericks are escalating discussions to find a trade for point guard Dennis Smith Jr., league sources tell ESPN. Phoenix and Orlando have engaged in ongoing talks with Mavs. Smith Jr., has sat out three straight games with what team has termed a sore back.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 15, 2019
Smith has missed the past three games with what the team has called a ‘sore back’ and is scheduled to sit his next game this Wednesday, this time with an ‘illness,’ according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Mavs PG Dennis Smith Jr. is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Spurs. However, it’s due to an “illness,” not the back soreness the Mavs cited as the reason Smith the last three games.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 15, 2019
Following the trade rumors, Smith Jr’s camp reportedly let it be known that he was open to a trade if the opportunity presents itself.
Source close to @Dennis1SmithJr confirms that neither Smith, nor his agent, requested a trade, but are open to one. "He likes the organization and he likes the players. I just don’t think it was probably a good [basketball] fit."
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) January 16, 2019
DSJ source adds: "He just wants to find a place and go play . . . Hopefully the right team steps up and it's a win-win for Dallas and whatever the new team is."
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) January 16, 2019
The Mavericks have also reportedly shopped veteran Wesley Mathews who is currently in the final year of his four-year, $70 million deal he signed in 2015, according to MacMahon and Wojnarowski.
Dallas has also searched for deals that would include veteran Wes Matthews, who is making $18.6 million in the final year of his contract, league sources said.
This season Smith is averaging 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists on 44.3% shooting and 37.5% from the three-point line. Unfortunately for DSJ, he hasn’t exactly played well with the undeniable future of the team, Luka Doncic.
When Doncic and Smith play together, they are averaging the lowest point total of any of Dallas’ backcourt combinations. Together they have only averaged 100.9 points per 100 possessions in 687 minutes this season. When Doncic is paired with fellow rookie guard Jalen Brunson they average 106.9 in 328 minutes, Doncic and J.J. Barea, before Barea’s injury, averaged 112.6 in 232 minutes.
