Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA recap: Injuries out West, DSJ available and Nets’ arrival

By Michael Dugger

(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DSJ on the trade block

Dennis Smith Jr. is being floated around in trade talks by the Dallas Mavericks, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon of ESPN. The second-year guard hasn’t clicked with head coach Rick Carlisle and the rise of Luka Doncic has lessened DSJ’s role. Smith has missed the last three games with a sore back.

Smith’s usage percentage has dropped from 28.9 percent in his rookie season to 22.8 percent this season with him adapting to a more off-ball role with Doncic in the mix. The rest of DSJ’s numbers have taken a small dip with him only averaging two fewer minutes per game, but the decreased role is shown in the numbers.

He’s averaging 12.6 points (15.2 last season), 3.9 assists (5.2 last season) 2.6 rebounds (3.8 last season) and 10.6 field goal attempts (14.8 last season) on a per game basis. For his part, Smith has improved as an outside shooter in his off-ball role. He’s connecting on 37.5 percent of his 3.7 3-point attempts per game.

A top-10 pick from an NBA Draft not even two seasons ago is rarely on the trading block, but this speaks to Doncic’s on-court production calling for more of the ball in his hands and identifying the proper skill-sets (3-and-D wings) to deploy next to him. Doncic has played better with other guards next to him, and DSJ doesn’t exactly fit the ideal player next to the new franchise star.

As far as trade partners, two have emerged and should come to no shock to anybody. The Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns have a few things in common. Neither team has been relevant in postseason battles, are frequent players in the lottery and have failed to grab a point guard for the future in the NBA’s golden era for lead guards.

DSJ would be a great fit in either organization. Orlando has three athletic marvels that are very inconsistent in creating for themselves. Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba are ideal rim-runners to partner with a DSJ pick-and-roll. A package of Terrence Ross and/or Jonathon Simmons would give Dallas win-now wings and they could push for a 2019 second round pick.

Phoenix has been looking for a guard to pair with Devin Booker for three years now and its best asset of Trevor Ariza could have been used for this trade, despite Kelly Oubre Jr. impressing since his trade from the Washington Wizards. A draft pick with Mikal Bridges could be their best offer, but according to Arizona Sports‘ John Gambadoro, the Suns aren’t interested in Smith at all.

Dennis Smith Jr. has as much bounce as any guard in the NBA, but has plenty of positives to his game, especially improving his 3-point shot. A change of scenery makes a difference, and DSJ could develop into that star guard with his own team.