Rick Carlisle Reaches Out To Both Dennis Smith Jr. & His Agent
Earlier this week, ESPN’
s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim Macmahon, both reported that the Dallas Mavericks had discussed possibly trading Dennis Smith Jr. to both the Suns and the Orlando Magic. Smith is currently out with an injured back missing the last four games.
After morning shootaround, Mavericks’ head coach Rick Carlisle, open the media scrum with letting the media that he reach out to both Dennis and his agent. Informing both individuals that Dennis was welcome back to the team as soon as, he is feeling better.
” Dennis Smith is not here, but I want to let everyone know, that I reached out to him and his agent last night. To let them know when he is feeling better, he is welcome to rejoin the team at any time. We would love to have him back. In his year and a half here, he has started every game that he has been available to play and during that period of time. He has experienced significant growth on both sides of the ball, and I am very proud of the progress that he has made. That is where we are, and I don’t expect him to be on this trip, but again, I think he is a part of this team, and we love to have him back, says Carlisle.
Rick Carlisle stated he spoke to Dennis Smith’s agent and told him we would love to have him back. When he is ready to return! #MFFL #DennisSmithJr #DSJ pic.twitter.com/avzxsRcSHy
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford
) January 18, 2019
Thursday (1/17/19), on the Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective podcast, Tim McMahon, shared that General Manager and President of Basketball Operations of the Dallas Mavericks Donnie Nelson would prefer to keep DSJ.
“Here’s the thing: Donnie Nelson doesn’t want to give up on him,” said MacMahon
Fellow ESPN reporter Jackie MacMullan follow with this statement “We know Rick. You know him. I know him. When he makes up his mind, there’s no going back.”
Carlisle clashed with Rondo when he was in Dallas back in 2015 over the style of play in Dallas, and Rondo was eventually benched in the first round of the playoffs, and both sides would decide to go their separate ways.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
