While Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has been frustrated with Mavs second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr.'s decision-making this season, the 59-year-old coach would still welcome continuing to coach the explosive guard out of North Carolina, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Smith's future with the Mavs has been in question over the last week or so, and reports have come out stating that the point guard and Rick Carlisle don't have the best relationship.
However, ESPN is reporting that any friction between Smith Jr. and Carlisle is based off the Mavs head coach trying to get the best out of his young guard:
Several team sources downplayed the friction between Smith and Carlisle, characterizing it as a coach being demanding of a young player in the best interests of his development. Smith's poor decision-making and his tendency to over-dribble have been sources of frustration for Carlisle, sources said, but such growing pains are typical for young players.
Sources said Carlisle would welcome continuing to coach Smith.
In 28 games this season for the Mavs, Dennis Smith Jr. is averaging 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 68.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Smith has been playing more of an off-the-ball role this season due to the stellar play of Mavs rookie phenom Luka Doncic. That has caused the 21-year-old to become disconnected at times.
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