The Mavericks and Dennis Smith Jr. appear to have smoothed things over.

Sources: After Dallas head coach Rick Calisle and guard Dennis Smith Jr. spoke on a call, Smith will report to the Mavericks on Tuesday and play against the Clippers. Carlisle and Smith had productive conversations.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 20, 2019

According to Stadium NBA Insider Shams Charania, Smith Jr. will report to the Mavericks for Tuesday’s home game against the Clippers. This comes after the two sides were in communication regarding his future with the team. Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle and Smith Jr. had a “productive” conversation leading to the guard’s return, according to Charania.

Smith Jr. did not travel with the team during the current two-game road trip, but Carlisle said he would like to have Smith Jr. back. Dallas had listed the guard out with “an illness” (he was out grabbing lunch when fans saw him and joined him) as discussions over his role continued.

Eventually, the two sides have reportedly reached a solution.

Despite this saga resulting in Smith Jr. likely staying with the team past the trade deadline, should the Mavericks still be exploring deals for the guard?

Earlier this year, I spoke with Smith Jr. regarding his improvement this year and his new role. The advanced numbers aren’t pretty, but Smith Jr. is a lottery pick in his second season of a rebuilding franchise. Player progression isn’t linear and eventually the advanced data could turn in Smith Jr.’s favor. This was before Luka Doncic emerged as not just a runaway Rookie of the Year candidate, but a potential All-Star.

Doncic has changed Dallas’ rebuild entirely. He is already the team’s best player and a building block going forward, but very few players on the current roster seems to fit his skill set. The Mavericks have maintained cap flexibility for the next two summers and could surround Doncic with the right mix of players and potentially add another star.

This leaves the Mavericks and Smith Jr. in a perplexing situation. On one side, he’s a lottery selection in his second season adjusting to a new role. On the other, his advanced numbers have not improved and his fit with Doncic is looking murky. Smith Jr. is shooting better overall from the floor, but it hasn’t translated to the team. Dallas’ offensive rating is nearly 10 points higher per 100 possessions when Smith Jr. is off the floor. In 686 minutes with Doncic, the duo is being outscored by 4.4 points per 100 possessions.

Smith Jr. has been a strong teammate and strong competitor, according to Charania. His effort has not waned in light of these conversations. He’s still on a rookie contract for the next two seasons before hitting restricted free agency. The Mavericks aren’t losing financial flexibility because Smith Jr. is on the roster.

Dallas will likely still be taking calls on Smith Jr., but it appears the Mavericks are going to keep him through the season. They are on the outside looking in as the Western Conference playoff race remains tight. Barring some insane lottery luck, Dallas probably won’t keep its 2019 first-round pick. Smith Jr. has struggled to adjust in a new role, but he represents young, cost-controlled talent the Mavericks can develop.

Unless a trade offer blows Dallas away, it appears Smith Jr. will remain in a Mavericks uniform this season.