The Dallas Mavericks have been trying to trade point guard Dennis Smith Jr, but it sounds like a lack of interest could force them to reevaluate the former first-round pick’s future with the team.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported on Thursday that the Mavericks are intent on not trading Smith unless they get solid value in return, and they are optimistic that they may be able to smooth things over with him and not move him at all. Team sources told MacMahon the Mavs are still confident Smith can turn into a star, with one source saying “Plan A is still to fix this,” not trade him.
Smith has not been seeing eye-to-eye with Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, and he is said to be unhappy with his role on the team. However, MacMahon was told that some of that talk has been overblown and Carlisle is simply trying to help Smith develop. The coach would reportedly welcome the opportunity to continue coaching Smith.
Of course, the Mavericks don’t want to do anything that is going to slow the progress of Luka Doncic, who they believe is the future of their franchise. Smith has taken on a new role with Dallas looking to cater their offense to the rookie, and that is what appears to be causing much — if not all — of the friction between Smith and the team.
Smith is averaging 12.6 points per game this season, which is a step back from a promising rookie year in which he scored 15.2 and had 5.2 assists per game. The former NC State star has missed the past four games with what the team initially called back soreness, but there have been questions about whether or not something else is at play.
