Miami Heat: 3 trades for the Dallas Mavericks’ Dennis Smith Jr.

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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CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 2: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 2, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 2: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks before the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 2, 2019 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Trade no. 1

In this trade idea, the Miami Heat would send Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder and a 2019 unprotected first round pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Dennis Smith Jr. and Salah Mejri.

The Mavericks just lost their backup point guard J.J. Barea to a season ending injury this past week and need more fire power off the bench, so grabbing a 3-point specialist coming off a career season in Ellington and a pick-and-roll maestro in McGruder would make a lot of sense for this playoff-hopeful team.

The 2019 unprotected first round pick also adds to this deal as a parting gift for Dallas, hoping they can get a better young asset to pair next to Doncic, as Smith Jr. hasn’t worked as smoothly as they would have hoped.

As for Miami, they obviously get Smith Jr. who will be a big help to take some pressure off Winslow and Richardson, as they both have taken up the facilitating duties since Goran Dragic’s injury. The Heat also get back a role playing big man in Salah Mejri, who would allow Miami to finally part ways with Hassan Whiteside if they could find a new destination for him, allowing the Heat to give Adebayo more minutes as a potential new starting center.

Overall, I like this deal for both teams, especially if it is down the wire, but if Dallas truly wants to get rid of Matthews in a deal for Smith Jr., we also have the deal for that idea in our next move.