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Orlando Magic: Pros and cons of trading for Dennis Smith Jr.

By Luke Duffy

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on from court side during the game against the Orlando Magic on December 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on from court side during the game against the Orlando Magic on December 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dennis Smith Jr
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Pro: He could be their answer at point guard

The most obvious pro to getting Dennis Smith Jr. would be that he would be the long-term answer to the Magic’s point guard woes.

We live in a time when there are more great point guards than there are teams to put them on and yet the rotation in Orlando is among the weakest in the league.

Smith would transform that immediately. D.J. Augustin has been the starting floor general all season and he has done a good job. Everybody from Jerian Grant to Isaiah Briscoe and even Jonathon Simmons have taken turns at being the backup.

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If Augustin could be slipped into this role, with Smith as the starter, the Magic would become a much more formidable outfit. They have never properly replaced Jameer Nelson, and the explosiveness of Smith with the bigs already in place would make for a great mix.

He is shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range this season as well, and would be the first offensive-minded guard the Magic could play through in quite some time. This would be even more important if both Ross and Vucevic are no longer with the organization next season.

They are going to need players to build around, and as of yet both Isaac and Bamba do not look like those guys. Gordon also appears better suited to being the second of third best player on a playoff bound team.

A unique set of events have made Smith Jr. become available, and the Magic would be foolish to not try many different combinations before the trade deadline to see if they can pry him away from the Mavericks.

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