With Dennis Smith Jr. rumors heating up, should the Philadelphia 76ers target the former lottery pick?
There isn’t a hotter name on the trade market than Dennis Smith Jr., the No. 9 overall pick in 2017 who no longer fits the Mavericks’ long-term plans. While Dallas might be jumping ship too early, Smith isn’t the cleanest fit next to emerging star Luka Doncic.
Naturally, there are teams interested in the 21-year-old point guard. He hasn’t fulfilled expectations to date, but he’s both productive and young. There’s reason to believe he can fill in the gaps and improve over the next couple years. Most prospects of his caliber aren’t readily available at the trade deadline.
The Suns, Magic and Pistons seem to lead the rumor mill discussion at this point. Both Phoenix and Orlando lack point guard depth, while the Pistons seem willing to move beyond the Reggie Jackson era. Should the Philadelphia 76ers enter the race?
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In a vacuum, Smith is an intriguing talent who fits the Sixers’ timeline to a certain degree. He might not contribute to winning in 2019, but he’s an electric scorer who can provide good minutes off the bench. One might argue he’s an upgrade over T.J. McConnell on talent alone.
Smith still does his best work with the ball, though, so fitting him next to Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler could pose moderate issues. His 37.5 percent three-point clip, even on low volume, provides some level of optimism in that regard.
Against the Celtics in the 2018 playoffs, Philadelphia was desperately short on dynamic shot creators. Butler provides an immediate solution to that issue, but adding someone like Smith — who can develop into another high-level creator in the second unit — should pique the front office’s interest.
Given the Sixers’ desire to compete, it’s unlikely for Elton Brand to make long-term moves. He should always maintain the longest view possible, but the Sixers have a limited title window, which alone might be enough to scratch someone like Smith off the list.
There’s also the question of who — or what — the Sixers would trade for Smith. The Mavericks are looking to jettison Smith because he doesn’t fit next to Doncic. There’s no reason to believe Dallas, seeking to build a competitive roster that optimizes Luka, would take back Markelle Fultz.
It means the Sixers would need to rely on draft picks or Zhaire Smith, who still projects as one of the best perimeter defenders in the 2018 rookie class. The Mavs aren’t taking low-ball offers either, so (Dennis) Smith won’t come cheap.
Smith hasn’t been particularly great this season, struggling with finishing and decision-making. He often reverts to ill-advised shots in untimely situations, which isn’t uncommon for young lead guards. Yet even with those issues, he’s one of the most intriguing point guard prospects in the NBA. Not only can Dallas demand a steep price, but there’s real potential for a bidding war.
Unless the Sixers offer Zhaire and significant draft capital, the Mavericks probably won’t budge. That’s not something Brand and the front office should consider, especially with Philadelphia’s current issues revolving around defense more than offense.
Don’t expect the Sixers to pursue Smith, even with the former lottery pick possessing ample upside.