Rumors: Mavericks eyeing Marcus Smart trade

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, but a trade deadline shakeup is looming. They face an offseason cap crunch with Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson heading into free agency as Luka Doncic’s max extension kicks in. The Mavs will have to head deep into the luxury tax to re-sign both free agents.

Trade rumors have been hot and heavy this season with the team reportedly exploring the market for Dorian Finney-Smith among others. Dallas is proving they can defeat any team, so they will be searching for upgrades in any move at the deadline.

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus released his latest rumors on Jan. 24 where he noted the Mavericks have been “linked” to Celtics guard Marcus Smart. Here is a look at the latest.

Rumors: Dallas Mavericks eyeing Marcus Smart trade

The Celtics are looking to shake up their roster ahead of the Feb. 10 deadline as they sit 24-24 on the season, and fans have seen Celtics' first-year president of basketball operations Brad Stevens be aggressive in making moves. The two teams made a trade in the offseason that sent Josh Richardson to Boston with Moses Brown coming to Dallas.

Marcus Smart is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and he would give the Mavericks another capable ball-handler and playmaker. Smart has four years and $77 million left on his contract after this season. Dallas would love to lock in the 6’3 guard at that number as the pesky perimeter defender the Mavs need next to Luka Doncic in the backcourt.

Pincus mentioned this rumor in passing, so it is not clear how much, if any, transaction the two sides have gained in making a deal. It is something to watch as the Feb. 10 deadline approaches. The Dallas Mavericks are going to make moves, but nobody knows what ones at this point.

The Smoking Cuban will have all the latest rumors, news, and analysis for Dallas Mavericks ahead of the trade deadline, so be sure to check back with us daily to catch it.