NBA Trade Deadline 2019: The 30-team mega-deal that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

By Ian Levy | Jan 21, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 16: Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets works out during practice on January 16, 2019 at the 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 Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dallas Mavericks

Sending out: Dennis Smith Jr. (ORL)

Bringing in: Frank Kaminsky (CHA), 2019 first-round pick (LAL)

This is clearly not an ideal return for Dennis Smith Jr. from the Mavericks perspective but a) they’re losing leverage by the day as Smith Jr. finds reasons not to appear for team activities and b) someone has to sacrifice something to hold together the fabric of this make-believe world I’m constructing.

The first-round pick from Los Angeles would currently be outside the lottery but, depending on how long LeBron is out, there’s a chance it floats up and becomes one. In addition, the fact that it conveys this year gives them an opportunity to add another player on the same timeline as Luka Doncic, or work on a trade for bigger fish this summer. Kaminsky is probably not a top-8 guy on a champship contender but falling out of the Hornets rotation should drive down the cost of his next deal and he could be useful to Dallas as a reasonably priced rotation big for the next three or four years. In addition, his awareness, shooting and passing skills as a big should be interesting next to Doncic.

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