Mavericks' 'dream trade target' would give them unbelievable depth

Over the last few years, the Dallas Mavericks have made several trades that have helped turn them into true contenders in the Western Conference.

The first trade that really got the ball rolling was trading for Kyrie Irving at the end of the 2022-23 season. Dallas needed a co-star to play next to Luka Doncic, and although they didn't click immediately, Doncic and Irving are now one of the best duos in the NBA.

This trade helped lay the framework of Dallas' new core, and their trades over the following 12 months also proved to be pivotal. The Mavs traded down and selected Dereck Lively II in the 2023 NBA Draft and traded for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline. All of these moves helped Dallas make the NBA Finals, and if history continues to repeat itself, another trade will be on the way soon.

Dallas has consistently made a move at the trade deadline during the Luka era, and this trend could continue this season. The Mavs are always looking to get better, and if they think they can improve at the deadline they will.

Mavericks trading for Finney-Smith would give them amazing depth

Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus recently revealed a "realistic dream trade target for every team in the NBA," and for the Mavs, he thinks that player would be Dorian Finney-Smith. Seemingly every Mavs fan has been begging for a Finney-Smith reunion ever since he was traded in 2023, and Pincus seems to think that Dallas should consider bringing him back.

Pincus cites that Dallas' wing defense could be "suspect" as they lost Derrick Jones Jr., and thinks "adding another defensive wing would help." That's exactly what Finney-Smith is, and his playstyle would be a seamless fit back into Dallas' system.

Last season for the Nets, Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from downtown. Finney-Smith bounced back after a rough first year with the Brooklyn Nets, and Dallas could be the perfect spot for him.

Finney-Smith has already proved that he can thrive next to Doncic, and the two happen to be good friends. Doncic's shot creation would help Finney-Smith get back to being a deadly 3-point shooter once again, and Doncic has made it clear he'd like to play with Finney-Smith again.

Brooklyn has consistently kept a high asking price for Finney-Smith, but maybe they'll finally settle to give him up this season. Pincus said a possible package could include Jaden Hardy and Maxi Kleber, and this may be the perfect time for both teams to make this move.

Hardy's role in Dallas seems to be in question heading into next season due to Dallas' guard depth off the bench, and Kleber's play has declined over the last few years. Kleber has proved to be a vital piece for the Mavs during the playoffs, but his health always seems to be a concern.

Kleber has played less than 60 games in each of the last four seasons, and the Mavs could decide to move on if they don't think he is going to be able to consistently stay on the floor moving forward.

Adding Finney-Smith to this roster would give the Mavs much depth, and this would be the perfect move to improve their defense. Dallas sacrificed some of their defense by replacing Jones Jr. with Klay Thompson in the starting lineup, but this worry will be wiped away if Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes can be elite perimeter defenders.

Finney-Smith's 3-and-D playstyle is the perfect type of player who thrives next to Doncic, and the Mavs could end up inquiring about his availability later this year. Dallas was reportedly interested in Finney-Smith last season, and it wouldn't be shocking if they checked in on him again this year.