NBA Trade Rumors: Dennis Smith Jr. Didn't Request Mavericks Move, Open to Idea

Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. is open to a deal, per Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.

"He likes the organization and he likes the players," a source told Townsend. "I just don't think it was probably a good [basketball] fit."

Townsend's source elaborated on Smith's reported stance: "He just wants to find a place and go play. ... Hopefully the right team steps up and it's a win-win for Dallas and whatever the new team is."

And Townsend told a Twitter follower he believed there was at least a 90 percent chance Smith will be dealt.

The 21-year-old Smith, whom the Mavs drafted ninth overall out of North Carolina State in 2017, is averaging 12.6 points and 3.9 assists in 27.7 minutes per game this season.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reported Tuesday the Mavs were "escalating talks" for Smith and cited the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic as interested parties. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM refuted the Suns' reported interest in Smith.

The ESPN.com duo cited a few reasons for Smith's potential exit from Dallas. The ascendance of 2018 first-round pick Luka Doncic, who is averaging 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, stood out:

"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 and J.J. Barea were 112.6 in 232 minutes."

Doncic looks like a franchise cornerstone. And while Smith has at times played like someone around whom the Mavs can build, Doncic seems like the better long-term bet.

That's in part because Doncic, 19, is polished (he played professional basketball for Real Madrid before joining the Mavs). Smith has showcased remarkable athleticism and potential, but his results have been mixed. Kurt Helin of NBC Sports (via Yahoo Sports) looked at both sides of Smith's game:

"How good a full-time point guard Smith would make is up for debate. He is unquestionably a fantastic athlete (which is why he dominated Summer League fresh out of college in 2017), he has a tremendous first step, can get to the rim and has finished well. However, his decision making had a long way to go—as it does with a lot of young players, but Smith frustrated coach Rick Carlisle—and his outside shot was bad enough that teams played off him and dared him to shoot."

The key is that Smith is just 21 years old. He has just 97 games on his professional resume and can certainly improve.

Smith may not get that chance in Dallas, but he could thrive elsewhere if given the opportunity to play on the ball.