![Smith Jr is currently a Maverick but could soon find himself in a different jersey. [image source: Mhoffer- Wikimedia Commons]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/12/26/660x290/b_502x220x82/smith-jr-is-currently-a-maverick-but-could-soon-find-himself-in-a-different-jersey-image-source-mhoffer-wikimedia-commons_2170483.jpg "Smith Jr is currently a Maverick but could soon find himself in a different jersey. [image source: Mhoffer- Wikimedia Commons]")
Rumor has it that the Mavericks are willing to trade second-year guard Dennis Smith Jr. The news is quite surprising as Smith Jr is young and developing and has the potential to be a quality starting player in the NBA. This season he's battled injuries and inconsistency but still has put up a respectable average of 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. In his rookie year, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds a game. Smith Jr could potentially net a first round pick in return and maybe even a bit more depending on the situation.
Here are some teams that Smith Jr could find himself playing on if he gets traded.
Orlando Magic
The Magic mainly rely on their forwards to carry them to victories as they typically play with one guard in their lineup. That guard is usually D.J. Augustin who's only averaging 10.3 points a game, and he's the best guard the Magic have. Whether they want to continue to role with one guard in their lineup is up to head coach Steve Clifford, but if they want to climb back into a playoff spot and snap out of their losing skid, they should at least consider acquiring Smith Jr to improve their guard situation and their roster as a whole.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been rebuilding for a while, and slowly they are becoming a better team.
They are on the same path as 76ers as with the right draft picks in the future, it could take them another year or two before they can become a dynamic team in the league. With the Suns still in a rebuild and looking to get younger, Smith Jr would perfectly fit their plans as he's only 21 and has been in the league for only two years.
Smith Jr would be a perfect pairing with franchise player Devin Booker and would also fit nicely with rookie DeAndre Ayton. The Suns definitely wouldn't give up young talent for Smith Jr, but they could maybe give up a first round pick in 2021 which is the time when they could possibly be a playoff team meaning that pick wouldn't be so high.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have one of the most dynamic guards in the league in Victor Oladipo but struggle to find a consistent guard who can produce alongside him. The versatile Evans has struggled all season, and Collison is only averaging 8.9 points, 5.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds. Certainly, they could use some more points from the guard position which is where Smith Jr could come and help. A perfect trade between the Pacers and Mavericks for Smith Jr would be Smith Jr for the Pacers first-round pick in the 2019 draft. It would benefit both teams as the Mavericks would get a first rounder in return and Smith Jr would be able to help the third-place Pacers compete with the stronger teams in the conference like the Raptors, Celtics and 76ers.
If the Mavericks need a player in the deal, then the Pacers can send Cory Joseph to Dallas, but the Mavericks would then probably have to add in some cash or a future second-round pick into the deal.
Detroit Pistons
The Pacers have one of the best frontcourts in the game with Griffin and Drummond leading the charge. Behind them, they don't have much. Smith Jr would be a nice addition to a Pistons team that is in need of one more strong player to make them a playoff team which will avoid having the Pistons hovering around the seven, eight, nine and ten seeds. With Reggie Jackson entrenched at point guard, Smith Jr would have to transition to shooting guard if he's traded to the Pistons which he should be able to do with ease.
Smith Jr for the Pistons first-round pick in 2019 would be a reasonable trade.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have surprisingly been in a playoff spot this season, and at one time, they even held the first seed in the Western Conference. Currently, they're in sixth, and if they want to stay in contention and go for it this season, they will have to find ways to make additions to their roster and trading for Smith Jr could be one of them. With tons of depth, the Clippers have many players they could give for Smith Jr, and they may not even have to sacrifice a pick depending on who they're willing to give. Also if the Clippers were to land Smith Jr, he would be a significant upgrade over their current starting guards in Avery Bradley and rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are a bad team and shouldn't be in pursuit of Smith Jr as they should be selling instead of buying, but because of one player on the Bulls roster they're looking to trade, they could potentially go after Smith Jr. The Bulls are looking and listening to offers on Jabari Parker, and one trade idea could be Parker straight up for Smith Jr. Parker is averaging 15.2 points, 2.3 assists and 6.9 rebounds. This could be a good trade for both teams as each player would get a change of scenery and the Mavericks are in need of a power forward which is the position that Parker plays.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are currently half a game back of a playoff spot, and if they want to keep their streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances alive and make it 22 this season, then they'll have to get DeRozan and Aldridge some help.
With Aldridge by his side, DeRozan has been averaging the most assists per game he's ever had in his career but most of his assists are going to Aldridge, and it would be good for DeRozan to have another reliable player to pass to in order to get the defense guessing a little more. The Spurs are also missing out on guard Dejounte Murray who is sidelined for the whole season and is a player that would have been a reliable contributor if he were healthy.
With the Spurs being owners of two first-round picks in the 2019 draft, the Spurs can give up one of their first rounders to acquire Smith Jr without having to sacrifice anyone from their thin roster. They could probably even give up the Raptors first round pick which they acquired in the Kawhi Leonard trade back in July as the Raptors pick will be much lower than theirs.
Miami Heat
It's Wade's last year, and the Heat would love to do anything to get him to the playoffs for one last time. They're currently in seventh but could easily slide down the standings if they go on a losing skid, especially with teams like the Pistons, Magic and Wizards behind them. They're missing their shooting guard in Goran Dragic who is expected to miss at least two months with a knee injury. An acquisition of Smith Jr would help keep the Heat in a playoff spot, and when Dragic comes back, it will give them a solid backcourt of Dragic and Smith Jr which would push Tyler Johnson to the bench and play more of a sixth or seventh man role.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are led by Mike Conley and Marc Gasol and don't have that many good players after them.
Their guards, excluding Conley, are really bad and have failed to produce on the court. Conely is averaging 20.5 points a game, but the other eight players on the Grizzlies that can play guard have averaged a combined 5.6 points. Acquiring Smith Jr would help this team out a lot and could be what it takes to sneak them into a playoff spot.
