NBA Trade Rumors: Mavs, Kings, Wizards Looking To Make Deals Before Deadline?

With the NBA trade deadline approaching in just a couple of weeks, rumors are circulating more intensely with each passing day. The latest NBA trade rumors involve the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, as each team could potentially offload players or acquire new talent to start a playoff push in the second half of the season.

Wizards forward Otto Porter is a name to watch as teams try to put together appealing trade packages before the Feb. 7 deadline. The Mavericks and Kings are both reportedly interested in dealing for the 25-year-old, according to separate reports from The Athletic.

Porter makes sense in both situations. The Mavericks and Kings are both close to playoff contention in the Western Conference, and the Kings especially have cap space and assets to make moves, if they desire. Small forward is said to be a position of priority for the Kings heading into the trade deadline.

Porter is young and shoots 48.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from beyond the arc. He has two years left on his current contract, so any team that trades for him will not get a one-season rental.

Another intriguing situation involving the Kings and Mavericks is the one involving forward Harrison Barnes. The 26-year-old is averaging 18.1 points per game and shooting 40.4 percent from three, and again, the Kings reportedly want more depth at forward. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirmed the Kings’ interest in Barnes on his The Hoop Collective podcast.

Finally, even though the Mavericks apparently tried to trade away young point guard Dennis Smith Jr., it seems the team will try to smooth things out with the former lottery pick rather than deal him away. ESPN’s Tim McMahon reported the Mavericks want to fix their relationship with Smith.

Smith is apparently frustrated with the team’s focus on rookie phenom Luka Doncic, and would like to play somewhere else. This is an evolving situation, as Smith has missed five straight games and did not report to practice on Friday.