Mavericks' answer to painful roster clash may cement Nico Harrison's vision

Fan-favorite guard Dennis Smith Jr. is back with the Dallas Mavericks on a training camp deal. Dallas signed him in hopes of allowing him to compete for a roster spot and guarantee his G League rights. However, if he were to make the team, he would likely have to battle Brandon Williams, whose contract isn't fully guaranteed heading into next season.

Yet, if the Mavs' final roster spot came down to the two players mentioned above, there is one area Smith Jr. has an advantage in: his defense. During his time with Dallas and especially in Brooklyn and Charlotte, Smith Jr. was a great point-of-attack defender who wasn't afraid to make things difficult for scorers. His high IQ and quick reading allowed him to track opposing players.

If Smith Jr. were to make the team, this would be the perfect scenario for Nico Harrison's vision. Last season, Dallas infamously traded Luka Doncic to Anthony Davis in a shocking move. Harrison stated in April that "defense wins championships" when referring to the trade, as he believed his current roster is centered around his philosophy. So, it's possible Smith Jr. also fits the defensive mold.

Dennis Smith Jr. embodies Nico Harrison's defense-first vision

Since his departure from the Mavericks, Smith Jr. has made a name for himself defensively. As mentioned, he does a great job at forcing turnovers due to his on-ball pressure. For example, he had one of his best defensive seasons during the 2022-23 season with the Charlotte Hornets. Smith Jr. averaged a career-high 1.4 steals per game and 75 steals.

Look at the linked video for examples of his aggressiveness on defense. He does a great job of pick-pocketing opponents and forcing ball handlers into a bind. Most of his work is done at the top of the key, where he can read the opposition's moves and use his quick feet to interrupt passing lanes. Smith Jr's defensive work was a key component of Charlotte's defensive improvement during his one year with the team.

So, there is no doubt Smith Jr. fits Dallas' defensive mantra. He would be the perfect fit to help make up for Kyrie Irving's absence, as he would fill his defensive void. Plus, including him in a lineup of defensive menaces such as Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and others would definitely put Dallas over the top.

During the summer, coach Jason Kidd discussed using a double-big lineup that would cause headaches for scorers inside. His ideal situation would be to pair Davis alongside Lively II while having Washington and Cooper Flagg on the wing. So, pair Smith Jr. with those guys, and Dallas could easily raise their defensive rating.

All these defensive talks drastically put Smith Jr. one step ahead of Brandon Williams. He is easily a better piece that would improve the Mavs' defense, something they'll need with Irving out.

The downside to keeping Smith Jr. over Williams would be his offense. He is an inconsistent shooter who struggles to create his own opportunities. Two seasons ago, he averaged 6.6 points per game and shot 29.4 percent from the 3-point line with the Brooklyn Nets. He has been known to struggle from long range, but does a great job attacking the paint.

So, Smith Jr.'s offense isn't that terrible. However, if Dallas hopes to make Harrison's championship visions come true, then cutting Williams for Smith Jr. would be one alternative to his plan. The team has some tough decisions to make during training camp, and keeping Smith Jr. for defensive purposes could be on their agenda.