NBA Trade Rumors Roundup, January 21st: Lakers Trade ruled out, Dennis Smith Jr. return and more

We have now passed the halfway point of the 2018/19 NBA season, and teams are starting to get a good idea about where they currently stand. Up until this point, both Conferences have remained competitive, with eleven teams in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, whereas every team except the Phoenix Suns has a shot in the West.

The February trade deadline is also quickly approaching, as the NBA has made changes to the deadline so that it will now always occur 10 days before the All-Star game. This has been done so that players who get traded have time to settle into their new teams, and this year's trade window will close on February 7th.

So with the deadline just three weeks away, here are the biggest trade rumors you need to know for January 21.

Marc Gasol's Future is still undecided

Marc Gasol has been spent his entire NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, although the 33-year-old is currently being linked with a trade away from his longtime team. Despite this, Anthony Sain from the Memphis Flyer has discussed the difficulty that the Grizzlies will have in trading away Gasol:

Gasol's decline at both ends of the court is a key reason for the Grizzlies' failure to win this season. Of course, it would be great if a deal happened that would benefit the Grizzlies and Gasol, but the often-heard refrain of just trade Marc for some picks is more fantasy than reality. For the Grizzlies to be able to trade Gasol, the other team would have to be able to return comparable salary numbers.

Gasol has started 45 games for Memphis so far this season, averaging 15.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. The veteran center will become an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

Dennis Smith Jr. returns to the Mavericks

In light of intense speculation over his future, Dennis Smith Jr. has not featured in any of the Dallas Mavericks last five games. Nevertheless, the point guard has now linked up with his teammates again, and Shams Charania from the Athletic is reporting that the Mavs have apologized to Smith Jr:

Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle apologized to Dennis Smith Jr. in a phone conversation, expressing remorse over (the) situation. The Mavericks have made clear Smith has been (a) positive presence for them.

Smith Jr. was selected by the Mavericks with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft and the 21-year-old is this season averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. He was last year named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, although Smith Jr. has recently been linked with a trade due to his perceived inability to play alongside Luka Doncic.

Lakers trade ruled out

Cleveland Cavaliers v New Orleans Pelicans

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with making a trade for a second All-Star before the February trade deadline, although Eric Pincus is reporting that the Lakers will instead wait until the summer, as the team still wants Anthony Davis:

If (Rich) Paul scares off other suitors with promises that he'll pair up his two top clients together in Los Angeles, he might be able to leverage the Pelicans into taking Ingram (and possibly Ball) instead of Kuzma...

The NBA trade deadline is only a few weeks away, but New Orleans isn't likely to decide on Davis until after the season. That will give the Lakers more time to develop their young core, be it to star alongside James or to build trade value for that elusive second star.

Anthony Davis has two years remaining on his current deal with the Pelicans, although he can opt out in 2020. So far this season Anthony is averaging 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.