Dallas Mavericks: If Used Properly, Josh Smith Could Be A Solid Replacement For Brandan Wright

Could Josh Smith be Brandan Wright‘s replacement for the Dallas Mavericks? If used properly, maybe.

Even Mark Cuban thinks so.

In a shocking move on Monday, the Detroit Pistons waived the 11-year veteran Smith with two years and $26 million left on the big contract he signed in the summer of 2013 after spending his entire career with the Atlanta Hawks. Of course, as with any other big name that hits the market, the Mavericks are interested. But the interest comes with validity. After trading for Rajon Rondo, Dallas became thin in the front court by losing Brandan Wright and Jae Crowder.

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Smith isn’t as tall as Wright, but he’s every much the athlete Wright is, minus the wingspan. Here’s the problem, though: J-Smoove’s offensive number have been in a free fall since he signed that big contract with the Pistons. Not to mention how crowded the front court got in Detroit, there was no idea how to use Smith.

He’s shooting a career-low 39 percent from the floor and an abysmal 24 percent from 3-point range and nearly 47 percent from the free throw line.

It almost sounds like his good buddy Rondo, doesn’t it?

When Rondo was traded to Dallas, concerns about his field goal percentage and free throw shooting were raised. The sample size is too small to know if those concerns should be warranted, however with Smith, they’re a little more alarming because he’s a wing who needs the ball in his hands.

Plus, Rondo and Smith have a history together, playing at Oak Hill Academy when the two were high school stars and are always in constant communication with one another. Even the man himself thinks Smith would be a good fit here.

This isn’t saying Smith is for sure coming to Dallas. There are many more suitors out there who could present a much better situation/role for the athletic 6-foot-9 high flyer. The Houston Rockets are a strong suitor because of past interest with Smith.

They tried to iron out a sign-and-trade with Atlanta last summer after they signed Dwight Howard. That, of course, didn’t happen.

Houston could use Smith because of the lack of their front court depth due to injuries to Terrence Jones and Dontas Montiejunas. Plus, the Rockets could offer him the most money. The Sacramento Kings could be another intriguing situation, as well.

Here’s what it boils down to: Smith is going to a contender, regardless. Any team in playoff or title contention, is a team he will sign with. Obviously Dallas and Houston fit that mold.

But if the Mavs are serious about bringing in Smith, and could utilize him as a backup small forward or power forward (or hell, even an undersized center), then he’s going to have to change his game.

That might not be something Smith wants to do. He probably feels, given enough space on the floor, that he’s one of the more effective knockdown jump shooters in the league. He was a deadly one, once upon a time in Atlanta. With his shot not falling, he would be fun for Dallas to use in the pick-and-roll game.

If that’s the case, then that would replace everything that was lost with Wright in the Rondo trade. He can’t be asked to be a reliable jump shooter, at least not yet.

And he’s not going to get a starter’s role, like he would in possibly Houston or Sacramento. Smith is still as athletic as they come in this league, and when used properly, could be a vital piece on a contending team.

But what’s going to make the difference in where Smith goes could be based on his friendship with Rondo or Dwight Howard. If Rondo really wants Smith in Dallas, it would be wise for the Mavericks front office to attempt to make that happen if they want to keep Rondo happy and as a potential piece for the long-term plans.

But Howard, who was Smith’s best man at his wedding, could have something to say about that. When does the rivalry between the Rockets and Mavs end? Hopfeully never.

Right now, he’s not the efficient player Wright was in Dallas, but he’d be an instant upgrade for what Dallas wants to do offensively, especially in pick-and-roll situations. The Mavericks haven’t converted an alley-oop since the Rondo trade, and the world is left to wonder what’s happened.

Again, lobs don’t dictate a championship, but right personnel do. If the Mavs, and mainly Rondo, believe Smith would be an effective option for this team for the very reasons described above, then get him.

If not, let Houston have him. But Smith would be a solid replacement.

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