Mainly, he has a bad plus-minus when paired with Doncic. He's a below-average shooter with a high turnover rate, and his defensive stats are not great. He's young and athletic enough that he will likely still improve, but his injury history makes it scary to invest in him.
They need to trade him asap. They may be able to suck in Phoenix in a deal since they ain't exactly bright. If they sunny trade him his trade value will only further deteriorate over time.
The fit just isn't there any longer. I look at it this way: Dennis Smith Jr. = Steve Francis Luka Doncic = Steve Nash One can make your team a contender with the right pieces around him the other will keep you around borderline playoff/lottery team. DSJ (while an extremely exciting athlete) is a ball dominant PG that most likely won't turn into a Russell Westbrook type of athletic PG. The smart thing that Dallas did was not draft a guy out of need, ala SacTown with Marvin Bagley, just because they already had a starting PG. Now they have an extra trade asset to throw into trading for a prominent all-star type talent. But still f*** those guys.
The couple of times the mavs actually have a high draft pick and want to go and develop their talent, they do something like this
Depends what they can get. In theory, it's a good pairing because DSJ can only guard PG's but you don't want him ever being the primary ball handler. They seem to want to try the Doncic as primary PG for now and he certainly cannot guard PG's. DSJ's contract is peanuts. Smart to see what they can get for him, but not the worst thing if they end up keeping him. If they rebuild quickly, he could be a great bench player in a year (which is worth $5-7m).
The Dallas Mavericks are escalating talks to trade guard Dennis Smith Jr., pushing to end a partnership that has run its course for both the franchise and former first-round pick, league sources tell ESPN. Two teams in pursuit of a point guard -- Phoenix and Orlando -- have been active in talks with the Mavericks, league sources said. 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. Dallas has sat Smith for three straight games with what the franchise has termed a sore back, but there's motivation with the organization and Smith Jr., to find a new home for him, league sources said. Smith was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. Coach Rick Carlisle and Smith have struggled to find a common ground, league sources said. The arrival of rookie of the year favorite, Luka Doncic, has pushed Smith off the ball and changed the trajectory of his role with the team. Carlisle has often been frustrated with Smith's decision-making, league sources said. While Doncic and Smith have built a good personal relationship, the results haven't been good with them playing together on the floor. Doncic and Smith average only 100.9 points per 100 possessions in 687 minutes this season. Doncic and rookie guard Jalen Brunson average 106.9 in 328 minutes -- while Doncic-JJ Barea was 112.6 in 232 minutes. Smith averaged 15 points and five assists in his rookie season a year ago.
So in 6 months Smith has gone from the steal of the draft and Mavericks cornerstone, to some guy that Carlisle thinks is stupid and must be moved. Wes Matthews has in 60 days gone from highly valued veteran teacher and only available for multiple #1 picks... to some guy they are trying hard to jettison. Good job Cuban... only thing keeping the Mavericks from being the Grizzlies is that Nelson and Carlisle sometimes convince him to not be stupid.
lol is Stan Van Gundy still on the Pistons' payroll??? No one is going to want Reggie Jackson and now you want to bring in DSJ?
IS this kid good? bad? Headcase? What's the story here . . . .. . . Are they just making room for Doncic. . . anyone not on the Doncic is king page has to move around? Rocket River
I unfortunately live in the DFW area and talk about this with my coworkers often--anyone or anything that can even disrupt Doncic's growth should be moved, including DSJ. I just get the Westbrook/Marbury vibe from him and Doncic, ideally, should be paired with a swiss-army knife player in the backcourt like a Patrick Beverley. If they can squeeze Phoenix for Josh Jackson, Melton and a 1st (or hell swap Matthews for TJ Warren)...that's going to be a huge improvment for Dallas.
As long as he not a headcase and has some skills. . . he will find a place The cost though . . . does not sound like someone to give up a 1st rounder for. Rocket River
Dude is 21. As long as he can get it together before he turns 26. All is good. After that he is a bit too old.
That Smith seems to want to be traded is key. This was brought up frequently prior to even drafting Doncic, and then even moreso once he was. What would this do to DSJ's role? Doncic is a playmaker and needs the ball in his hands. DSJ is an undersized 2 guard then, and one who can't shoot. That could be improved upon, and Mavs could still definitely use his penetration ability...but that's when decision making comes into play. DSJ would certainly NOT be the first guard Carlisle has moved away from due to decision making. Yes, stats don't lie. BUT...how does Barea's injury play into this? I think it comes down to what they get offered. If not sufficient, they just keep him. If something that makes sense and will improve the team, they take it. DSJ is still definitely a talent, worthy of the accolades the Mavs received when they drafted him...and had some games where he took over last year, showing his potential. So if the Mavs don't get offered something of real value...I don't see them taking it. Especially in light of Barea being lost for the season...and perhaps into next season. Steve Francis was the comparison...but I always was worried that it wouldn't turn out more like Harold Minor..or the slew of other great athletes who never really grew into true NBA talents. Certainly can't say yet that it won't happen, but this may not be the place for it to happen...hence DSJ wanting to move on. I will say that in interviews DSJ comes off as a smart guy...he could probably figure out how to make it work either way. But also smart enough to see that maybe his opportunities are better elsewhere.
I think he's still a nice player and has room to grow but with both him and Doncic needing the ball to realize their full potential....somethings gotta give. I compare Doncic with Harden I think the success of Doncic and the Mavs will be on how many effective 3&D players Dallas can put around Luka.
