Mavericks trade rumors: Dallas might get in the Josh Smith sweepstakes

With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks may try and acquire Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger. Berger said in a video posted to the website Friday that he had "a hunch that Dallas could get involved with Josh Smith."

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Berger later explained that the Mavericks could be interested in acquiring Smith, in large part to try and lure Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard to Dallas in the offseason. Smith and Howard were AAU teammates as high school players in the Atlanta area, and according to Berger have remained close friends.

Fox Sports' Sam Amico also reported over the weekend that the Mavericks may be interested in Smith.

At the same time, if the Mavericks don't trade for Smith, they could potentially try and move free agents-to-be O.J. Mayo and Darren Collison. The Boston Celtics were interested in acquiring O.J. Mayo this past offseason, and NESN.com believes they could have interest in trading for him prior to Thursday's deadline.

Like Mayo, Collison, a point guard, will also be a free agent this offseason and DallasNews.com reports that the Mavericks will have a "tough decision" on what to do with him, as well as Mayo.