Report: Despite tension, Smith Jr. hasn't requested trade from Mavs

Disgruntled guard Dennis Smith Jr. hasn't formally asked the Dallas Mavericks to trade him, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

That report adds context to a separate report of Smith expressing a desire to be traded, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Of course, it's possible for Smith Jr. to hope for a fresh start elsewhere without actually making a trade demand to the Mavericks' front office.

The 21-year-old has sat out the team's past four games due to back soreness as rumors surrounding his future in Dallas continue to swirl ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline.

Prior to his recent absence, the second-year N.C. State product was averaging 12.6 points and 3.9 assists through 28 appearances. While both those numbers are down from his rookie year - largely due to the addition of ball-dominant point forward Luka Doncic - Smith Jr. has still managed to improve his effective field goal percentage from 44.6 to 50.8 percent.

Despite the increased tension, the Mavericks have reportedly had productive communication with Smith Jr. in recent days, and continue to view him as a positive member of the team, per Charania.