Latest Finney-Smith trade rumor should send the Mavericks running the other way

The Dallas Mavericks have often been mentioned in the same sentence as Dorian Finney-Smith ever since he got traded by Dallas to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Kyrie Irving trade in 2023, and while most of this chatter comes from fans who want Finney-Smith back in Big D, there has also been some reporting about a potential Finney-Smith return that dates back to last season.

Dallas reportedly showed interest in trading for Finney-Smith last season before the new year, and it's clear that he would like to return one day as well. The Mavericks organization has done so much for him and his family, and it looked like a return could end up being more likely this season after it was reported that teams were offering second-round picks for him.

Dallas being able to acquire Finney-Smith for less than a first-round pick would be a move that fans would love, but after a recent update from NBA insider Marc Stein, it may be best that the Mavs stay away.

Mavericks should not trade a first-round pick for Finney-Smith

According to Stein, the Nets' asking price for Finney-Smith (subscription required) is "at least one first-round pick." Brooklyn's trend of keeping a high asking price for Finney-Smith has continued into this season, for good reason too, as he is averaging 10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting a career-high 43.2 percent from downtown.

Finney-Smith remains one of the best and most reliable 3-and-D wings in the NBA, and despite his dream fit in Dallas off the bench, a first-round pick is a lofty price for the 31-year-old wing.

It's undeniable that Finney-Smith would be the team's new backup four behind P.J. Washington and provide amazing defense and shooting off the bench, but Dallas is coming to a point in which they have to consider being a bit conservative with their first-round picks. The Mavs were extremely conservative with their 2027 first-round pick before trading it to the Charlotte Hornets for Washington, and they may need to use this same mindset with their other tradeable first-round picks.

Dallas has two first-round picks that they can trade right now (2025 and 2031), and while the 2025 first-round pick is likely going to be a late pick due to how well the Mavs are playing, the 2031 pick is a different story. The future of the NBA is uncertain, and anything can happen. Holding onto that 2031 first-round pick may be the best idea to ensure they have some draft capital moving forward and they're not completely ignoring the future, as building through the draft is important.

There hasn't necessarily been any reporting this season that indicates the Mavs have shown interest in Finney-Smith just yet, but it is clear that they need frontcourt help off the bench. Outside of Washington, the Mavs haven't had any consistent play from the backup four spot (other than a couple of recent good performances from Olivier-Maxence Prosper), and this seems to be their biggest area of need ahead of the February trade deadline.

Dallas is 1-5 in games without Washington this season, and his importance seems to go up by the game. He defends at an elite level, and his slowly-improving jump shot combined with his growth as a playmaker and ball handler have helped turn him into one of the most important players on the team.

The Mavs ask so much of him every single night when it comes to defense and rebounding, and adding someone who can help pick up the slack when he is off the floor would be ideal. Whether that is going to be Finney-Smith or not remains unseen, and if the Mavs can get away with finding a way to land him without giving up a first-round pick, they should be all over it.