DALLAS - The Mavs have traded for big man Greg Smith in a deal that represents a Bulls salary dump, means Dallas essentially gives up 'nothing' in trade, and might not be finalized until other moving parts - including the Chandler Parsons offer sheet - are finalized.
The Dallas Mavericks will acquire minimum-wage center/forward Greg Smith in a trade with the Bulls, an NBA source confirms, adding that Dallas has given up "nothing'' in the swap.
There are ways to figuratively trade "nothing'' to a team (like a "prospect'' who isn't really a prospect or $75,000 cash) and that information will be more available once the deal is finalized.
But finality won't come until at least Monday, and maybe longer. More will be known about Dallas' cap situation at 10:59 p.m. Sunday (Texas time) when Houston makes its decision to match or release Chandler Parsons to the Mavs. Other cap-related moves can include pursuit of other free agents (that list is increasingly highlighted by Indiana's oft-kilter young standout Lance Stephenson) or an amnesty bid on likely Chicago releasee Carlos Boozer.
Eventually, though, the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Smith will be Mavs property and could fill a role as a backup 4/5. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game over the last three seasons with Houston, where he was at times a part-time starter. A knee problem is tied to the Rockets' eventual release of the former Fresno State player, 23, who was signed by the Bulls this spring.
Chicago dumped him and his $948,163 salary for cap space to pursue Pau Gasol. Now Smith is a candidate to get time behind Dirk and Tyson Chandler. DeJuan Blair may leave for a better deal than Dallas can offer. Brandan Wright is definitely in the rotation and Bernard James or ummer-league Ivan Johnson could stick, too.
Chris "Birdman" Andersen and 7-footer Jason Smith are other names on Dallas long backup-big wishlist.
