NBA Trade Rumours Round-up, January 19th: Carmelo to the Lakers, Dennis Smith Jr. trade 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 a month away, here are the biggest trade rumours you need to know for January 19th.

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Carmelo Anthony could be set to join the Lakers

Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers

Carmelo Anthony has been away from the Houston Rockets for almost two months, although the former Knicks man could soon find himself with a new team. A report from The Athletic is claiming that interest in Anthony is ramping up, and the Lakers are among the interested teams:

The Lakers, who have a full roster and would have to waive someone to sign him if he was waived, continue to be tied to Anthony more than any other team. But according to a Lakers source, the fact that the roster is full is not a small obstacle. Not only is it unclear how they would clear the roster spot to add Anthony, or if there’s a possible trade to be made there with the Rockets, but a source close to James said Anthony’s conditioning and the overall state of his game are considered key factors here.

Anthony joined the Rockets last summer after parting ways with the OKC Thunder. In his 10 games with the team, the 34-year-old averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Dennis Smith Jr. has no future in Dallas with the Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks v Phoenix Suns

Dennis Smith Jr. has been linked with a trade away from the Dallas Mavericks this month, and Sporting News is reporting that while the point guard may not be traded this season, Smith Jr. has no long term future with the franchise:

Smith has been sitting out for the last four games, with what’s being called a back issue, but he is clearly healthy... A source told SN (Sporting News) that a trade of Smith is a matter of when not if. Could be in the three weeks left before the trade deadline. Could be this summer. But it’ll have to come after the Mavs have dealt with some of the challenges of trading Smith now.

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.

Wizards want to retain Otto Porter Jr.

New York Knicks v Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are enduring a season of turmoil, and members of the roster such as Bradley Beal, John Wall, and Otto Porter Jr. have been linked with a trade away from the team. Nevertheless, while discussing the Sacramento Kings trade plans, ESPN's Zach Lowe has stated that the Wizards had no intention of letting Porter Jr. leave:

The Kings continue to explore adding a rangier small forward, but they need to be wary of throwing major assets and cap room at what could end up an incremental move. (The bet here is that they do proceed with caution, in part because the Wizards have shown little appetite for dealing Otto Porter anywhere for a return heavy on future assets and cap flexibility.)

Porter has been with the Wizards since being drafted by the team with the third pick of the 2013 draft. So far this season he has averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.