NBA Trade Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Could Part With Dennis Smith Jr For The Right Price

The Dallas Mavericks have been doing great with Luka Doncic as the team tries to build on new and younger players. Partnered with Dennis Smith Jr., that could happen moving forward, unless head coach Rick Carlisle has other things in mind.

As of this writing, the Mavs are 15-17 in the Western Conference, barely ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the 2018-19 season almost at the halfway point, Dallas needs all the help they can get. Unfortunately, Smith Jr. has missed the team’s last five games before Christmas due to a sprained right wrist. He has missed 10 games in total, the Dallas News reported.

If Smith was healthy and partnered with Doncic, the Mavs could have one of the better backcourts in the NBA today. But then again, that has not translated into the team’s 2018-19 campaign and now critics are looking at several possibilities, including a possible trade involving DSJ.

According to Tim McMahon of ESPN, the word going around is that the Mavs could eventually move Smith. Dallas is, of course, denying this, something that is hardly surprising. But then again, it may be possible for them to see the value of Smith and also check out what assets or players are being offered in exchange.

The thing to look out for here is filling in the key positions the Mavs need to keep abreast with other teams. Having a talented backcourt is something, but most know that the key to a successful campaign is having efficient players in other positions (i.e. center, forward and bench support).

If not immediate personnel, the Mavs could be looking to the future. Draft picks offered for current players is possible, something that other teams have been doing as a means to invest in their team’s future, Sir Charles in Charge suggested.

But for teams to express interest, Smith needs to get back on the floor at 100-percent capacity. He has tried in the past, but faltered. His injury has yet to fully heal, and it is seen as the main reason why he has missed plenty of the Mavs games.

There is no telling when that will happen, but Smith said that he is making progress. His return, though, remains a big question mark.

"I'm making great progress," Smith said after the final pre-Christmas game Sunday in Portland. "I'm getting better with everything, and it's feeling better every day. It'll be soon, I can tell you that, for sure."