A shocking chain of events had Dallas Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. change his mind and rejoin the team after a short hiatus due to a multitude of mysteries surrounding his relationship with the Mavs.
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Smith's decision to return wasn't so much about coach Rick Carlisle convincing him that was best, but rather realizing that extending his “illness” stint would only further damage his reputation.
Both Smith and the Mavs will benefit from having him on the court, as posting a few strong lines in the next few weeks could boost his value, with front offices still keenly aware the organization could entertain trade talks even after he rejoins the team.
Dennis Smith Jr. has struggled in his second season in the league after a promising rookie year, not seeing nearly the freedom he had as the sole face of the franchise. The 21-year-old is getting four fewer attempts per game, despite a solid increase in his field goal and 3-point shooting efficiency — now connecting at 44.3 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep.
The Mavs will have a tough time finding a buyer for Smith with only two-and-a-half weeks left before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, but they could easily revisit talks at the end of the season if he finishes out 2018-19 on a strong note.
The North Carolina State has plenty of upside and will get the attention of franchises, but the Mavs would be smart to explore fit possibilities for the rest of the season before turning into offseason swap mode.
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