Trade discussions involving Dennis Smith Jr. have “accelerated” to the point that it would be surprising if the Mavericks don’t make a deal, a team source tells Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported on Monday that the Mavs’ trade talks for Smith had ramped up.
According to Townsend’s source, neither Smith nor his agent has requested a trade out of Dallas. “[But] if something is out there, they wouldn’t be opposed to it,” the source said of Smith’s camp. “I think this is kind of figuring out what the win-win is.”
Townsend writes that three primary factors are contributing to the Mavericks’ efforts to find a possible new home for Smith. Luka Doncic‘s rapid ascension is an important factor, as is the fact that trade offers for Smith have “escalated” recently, per Townsend. The third factor is Smith’s relationship with head coach Rick Carlisle. In his Monday report, Wojnarowski wrote that Carlisle and Smith “have struggled to find a common ground,” adding that the head coach has “often been frustrated” with the second-year guard’s decision-making.
“On a scale of one-to-10, it’s certainly not a zero,” one Mavericks source told Townsend, referring to the Carlisle-Smith relationship. “It not a zero with any player. But I wouldn’t say it’s a 10, either. It’s a factor, but it’s not something that can’t be figured out if we end up moving forward with what we have, which is honestly what we want to do.”
Wojnarowski’s initial report cited the Magic and Suns as two teams in the mix for Smith. Townsend agrees that Orlando is “heavily” involved, but suggests Phoenix is not. That echoes a report from John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, who said on Monday night that the Suns don’t have any real interest in Smith.
A subsequent report identified the Pistons as another potential suitor for Smith, and Rod Beard of The Detroit News confirms (via Twitter) that there’s at least some “mild” interest from Detroit. However, Beard notes that the cost may be a first-round pick, plus other assets, and it’s not clear if the Pistons would be willing to surrender their 2019 first-rounder and more in a deal for the 2017 lottery pick.
If the pistons could find a way to move a protected 1st and Jackson for Smith and Mathews they should do it
If the plan is for Luka to play point guard, Jackson doesn’t have a place in the rotation unless he’s the 6th man. Only person Detroit could offer is Drummond and he would be an upgrade of Jordan.
TRoss or Simmons and/or Grant couple 2nd founders for Smith should get it done. I doubt Orlando gives up Vuc, Isaac or Bamba for him.
I don’t know much about Dallas’ wants, but I would have to imagine they could do better than a soon to be FA, two scrubs that can’t crack an eastern conference lottery team rotation (one with a pretty hefty salary considering his contributions), and a 2nd rounder or two.
I’m not a big Smith Jr fan but that does seem like nearly enough. Ross is expiring and makes more sense for a legit contender not a team rebuilding(which is what the mavs are.) Simmons isn’t really worth much. I would expect a young player or at least a protected 1st would be the asking price.
*Doesn’t
The problem is Ross makes around 10 million. DSJ makes a little under 4 million. Neither team has a trade exception. Dallas would need to add another salary(Matthews or Powell) to make the salaries match.
Gordon or Issac would have to be the focal point of the deal.
agreed
dallas wont do that. thats all trash
The only reason Dallas could trade Smith is if they are getting some high offers! Wouldn’t be shocked if Matthews is traded too
SmithJr & Booker does not sound more appealing than SmithJr & Doncic, for opposite reasons. Suns should -not- move on this.
It may be that SmithJr is overrated and Dallas wants to move him before that becomes his rep. His stats are not great which GMs & fans will discover in research.
Funny, all those Knick fans mad at Phil Jackson that the Knicks took Frank Ni. instead of Smith. Monk and Kennard were the next guards taken… Donovan Mitchell the next PG prospect. But Mitchell would not be a triangle type guy.
Mitchell is more of an off guard playing some point right now because of injuries to numerous Jazz point guards and the fact they also have Joe Ingles to make plays for teammates as well.
So the Knicks are just going to pretend DSJ isn’t available in a trade? If Orlando acquires him I’ll purchase a ticket for a game the next day
Frank ntilikina tim hardaway jr and a 2020 2nd round pick for Wesley matthews and Dennis Smith jr
As far as most Knick fans I know are concerned, they can have THJ without giving up DSJ. Any expiring contract(s) will suffice.
I think he will end up in Orlando. But I don’t think the Magic will move any core players. Honestly, I don’t think they will have to.
Doncic isn’t a reason to trade DSJ. Doncic is a point (facilitator) but not a guard. Outside of highlights, he plays off the ball a lot. His assist totals vary greatly game to game. There’s plenty of room for another play maker in this offense. Now with Barea gone, even more. If Dallas moves him, it should be because they don’t see him developing into the player they thought he would.
Why can’t the Sixers offer Jimmy Butler?
Because Butler with a broken leg still is better than DSJ!!!
Orlando is the ideal trading partner. They can offer one of these young guys they have collected that don’t fit together.
i think a DSJ mathews and Powell will get done for gordon and fournier
i wouldnt mind dealing DSJ, mathews and powell for marcus smart and jaylen brown. Mathews is expiring contract and brings leader ship. they get antoher big in powell and they have another starting guard if kyrie leaves. they like rozier as a 6th man. also helps the celtics cap flexibility after paying ton of money for smart in offseason. they wouldnt beable to pay brown or tatum in the next few offseasons if kyrie did stay
Gimme a blockbuster deal that nets me Drummond for DSJ and Jordan. Otherwise I’m not terribly interested in losing DSJ. I think we can move Matthews in a separate deal. If it’s a swap for young players who don’t fit, I’d rather keep what I have. Still see DSJ as a potential all star piece if they can figure it out. Hell it took Jason Kidd a year and a half to figure it out. Give the 21 yr old some time.
im find with getting drummond. luka loves athelic big man. so even getting aaron gordon would be great as well. i rather trade barnes then mathew and clear up cap space and try and get a big time free agent in offseason