The Dallas Mavericks have made major moves this offseason to solidify their position as contenders in the NBA. The reigning Western Conference Champions acquired Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes, and Naji Marshall this summer to reinforce their roster for a challenging 2024-25 season. They have a great mix of defense and offense, but a lack of frontcourt depth in terms of their wings.
The Mavericks have a lot of players 6’4″ to 6’6″ who can play multiple positions next to Luka Doncic, but not enough big bodies to reliably defend the frontcourt beyond P.J. Washington and the recently-signed Marshall. The best way to remedy this situation is by bringing back an old DFW favorite who was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2023.
Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Maxi Kleber, A.J. Lawson, Jaden Hardy, 2025 Second-Round Pick (DAL)
The Mavericks part ways with longtime player Maxi Kleber to make way for Finney-Smith, who’s proven to be a more willing shooter, agile perimeter defender, and a proven fit in a Doncic-led offense, whether off the bench or as a starter.
The Mavericks Consolidate Their Roster For Contention
The Mavericks have proven to be one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA over the last few seasons, spending most of their picks to construct the roster we saw make the 2024 NBA Finals. This aggressive mindset started with the Kyrie Irving trade in 2023, which is what caused Finney-Smith’s departure as he was traded alongside Spencer Dinwiddie to bring Irving to the Mavericks.
Finney-Smith had a poor season last year, averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds on 34.8% from three, lowering his value from the presumed multiple first-round picks the Nets expected when they acquired him 18 months ago. The Mavericks are the perfect fit for Finney-Smith given his familiarity with the team, the area, and the long-standing ties he built with the franchise when they helped him get his father out of prison.
The Kleber loss has a real impact as he’s their default small-ball center and a backup power forward. Unfortunately, his poor offensive output and questionable health could lead to a transition to bringing back Smith, who’s played small-ball center himself, as has P.J. Washington, on the Mavericks. They have a double-big rotation already, so having a more portable piece like Finney-Smith might be more advantageous.
The Nets Commit To Tanking
After they reacquired their 20205 first-round pick by sending the Rockets’ future Suns draft picks, the Nets’ direction for next season has been clear. They will be rocketing to the bottom of the table in hopes that the lottery Gods reward them with a franchise-changer like Cooper Flagg. Holding onto veteran role-players like Smith might be fruitful till the deadline, but would likely acquiesce to a request from a respected veteran like Dorian.
Kleber averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds last season but is a well-liked veteran who could help young bigs such as Noah Clowney develop. A.J. Lawson is a prospect the Mavericks groomed for years before rewarding him with a full NBA contract, with the former two-way contract player showing genuine potential that the Nets could maximize. Finally, Jaden Hardy averaged 7.3 points with flashes of being a high-volume scorer in the future.
A Hardy and Cam Thomas backcourt for a tanking season in Brooklyn would be insane to watch given the shot diet of both stars. Hardy is in a contract year, with the Mavericks’ signing of Spencer Dinwiddie a sign that Hardy might not factor in the Mavs plans much this season.
A Development Story That Came Back Home
Dorian Finney-Smith is one of the best development stories to come out of the Mavericks in the last 10 years. He was undrafted and worked his way into the rotation before becoming a starter in 2019. He anchored the team’s defense for their 2022 Western Conference Finals run as a versatile 3-and-D forward who was one of the only players with any value when the Mavericks had the opportunity to acquire Kyrie.
Nobody blamed the Mavs for trading Dorian to acquire Kyrie, but they could right those wrongs by reacquiring him. It would essentially return the entire Irving trade package (outside the picks) to the Mavs, as they already signed Dinwiddie as well. Finney-Smith won’t be expected to outperform his role as he had to in 2022 given the depth of the roster around Doncic now. Finney-Smith averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in his last full season with the Mavs on 39.5% from three.
The Nets do a veteran a solid by sending him to a familiar home before the season starts instead of holding on to him for the highest bidder until February 2025. They have limited use for Finney-Smith as a tanking roster, which could allow one of the most complementary teammates Doncic has ever had to return to the franchise he called home from 2016 to 2023.
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