Dallas Mavericks need to bring back Dorian Finney-Smith

The Dallas Mavericks felt like they had to add a co-star for Luka Doncic, so they traded for Kyrie Irving. It was a massive gamble that has yet to pay off. The Mavs lost 18 of their final 25 regular season games to miss the playoffs entirely, and Irving is an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The franchise was so focused on getting a star that they forgot to factor in what they were giving up. It cost them an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, two second-round picks, and two starters. Dorian Finney-Smith was the Mavericks' best defender and the engine of their defense. Spencer Dinwiddie gave them size, playmaking, and scoring in the backcourt. Both headed to Brooklyn as Irving and the little-used Markieff Morris returned to Dallas.

Following the trade, things did not go swimmingly for the Mavericks or Doe-Doe. His playing time decreased on the Nets as Dallas collapsed to fall out of the playoffs. Both sides should be interested in a reunion, and it could happen this offseason. 

Dallas Mavericks looking to buy: Brooklyn Nets at a crossroads

The Mavs have to make upgrades this summer, and they are eager to improve their roster around Luka Doncic. Their top priority is re-signing Kyrie Irving, but they need to improve their wing depth and add a starting big man. The Mavericks will not have cap space, so they will have to make moves in the trade market.

The Nets are at a crossroads. They just broke up a “Big 3”, but they traded for veterans that could net them more draft picks if they decide to go that route. Brooklyn could also try to add a star and contend after making the playoffs without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn.

Former Maverick Spencer Dinwiddie discussed the Nets options in his end-of-season press conference.

The Nets do not control their own draft picks, which could be problematic in tanking. Still, if Brooklyn is on the fringes they have no incentive to keep veteran players when they could get younger and add additional draft capital.

If Brooklyn decides to retool, Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris, Patty Mills, and Finney-Smith all figure to be available. Could the Mavs jump back in and re-acquire Doe-Doe? They need to make it happen to get back into contention.

Dorian Finney-Smith offers exactly what the Dallas Mavericks need

Finney-Smith offers exactly what the Mavs need. The 6’7 forward was the team’s best defender before the trade, and their defense was horrific after he joined the Nets. From Feb. 8 to the end of the regular season, Dallas allowed 118.5 points per 100 possessions, which would have been the third-worst mark over the full season. Only the rebuilding Spurs and Rockets would have been worse.

Finney-Smith also adds size. Dallas was small at every position after the trade, which attributed to their defense and rebounding woes. Adding a 6’7 wing with the versatility and ability to switch would do wonders for their defense.

Doe-Doe is the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving because he is going to be a hard-nosed defender that does not command the ball. Over his final three full seasons in Dallas, Finney-Smith averaged 10.2 points per game on 47.0 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent on his threes. He is comfortable and confident as a spot-up shooter, and the Mavs superstar duo will draw defenders away.

Dorian Finney-Smith is the perfect on-court fit in Dallas, but that is not the only reason that the Mavericks should bring him back.

Dorian Finney-Smith has a close relationship with Luka Doncic

The Mavs reached the conference finals in 2022 behind Doncic and their improved defense. They were playing their best basketball since winning the championship in 2011, and the squad had a special chemistry. The Mavericks truly wanted to win for each other, and it helped them reach the final four.

The front office lost all three of Luka’s closest friends on the team in less than one year. Boban Marjanovic was traded to Houston before the 2022 NBA Finals even ended. Jalen Brunson left in free agency, and Finney-Smith was sent to Brooklyn at the deadline. All three were pillars of the Mavs' chemistry and accountability in 2022, but they were all gone by the end of the 2022-23 season.

Luka talked about not feeling the same joy on the court towards the end of the season. He was quick to mention things going on in his personal life, but it did not help that Doncic no longer worked with some of his closest friends. Trading Boban and Finney-Smith may have had a bigger impact than their on-court production would have suggested.

The Dallas Mavericks must do what it takes to get Dorian Finney-Smith back because he is the perfect on-court fit and an important piece for the franchise away from it.

Dorian Finney-Smith wanted to stay with Dallas Mavericks

Finney-Smith called the trade “bittersweet”, according to the Dallas Morning News (subscription required). He stated several times that he wanted to be in Dallas, including after signing a four-year extension at the 2022 trade deadline.

The Mavs signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2016, and he spent six and a half seasons with the franchise. Coming out of the University of Florida, he was known strictly as a defender. His jumper needed work, and the 29-year-old became a lights-out shooter in Dallas. Doe-Doe also became an unquestioned starter and valuable 3-and-D wing with the Mavericks.

The Virginia native had a new home in Dallas, and he would likely be eager to return to the Mavs. It would be a chance to reunite with Luka Doncic and to play with Kyrie Irving. The duo would feed Finney-Smith open looks and give him a chance to make another deep playoff run. Dallas is closer than people think with two superstars. If they improve their defense and depth, the Mavs will be a feared team next season.

Dorian Finney-Smith could be a key piece of that mix, which is exactly why the Dallas Mavericks should do whatever it takes to get him back this summer.

Dallas Mavericks need to get Dorian Finney-Smith back this offseason

Even if the Brooklyn Nets decide to compete next season, they are going to make moves. They have $146.4 million committed in salaries without re-signing restricted free agent Cam Johnson or bringing back Seth Curry or Yuta Watanabe. They are already $12 million over the cap and just $15.5 million under the luxury tax threshold.

Johnson will likely get more than $15 million per season, and the Nets should not pay the luxury tax on that roster. They will look to move some pieces and reshuffle their deck to get under the tax, which could make Dorian Finney-Smith available.

The 6’7 forward only played 27.7 minutes per game during the regular season in Brooklyn, and he averaged just 25.3 in the postseason as the Nets were swept by the Sixers. That was after two straight years of playing over 38 minutes per game in the postseason for Dallas. The Nets split his minutes with Day’Ron Sharpe, and he is a bit expendable for Brooklyn. They have a ton of wing options, including Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, who appears to be their two building blocks moving forward. Marc Stein noted (subscription required) that Finney-Smith is expected to be available.

Could the Dallas Mavericks trade a first-round pick for Dorian Finney-Smith this summer? If that offer is available, the Mavs should jump at it. Dallas would have to match salary, but they should do what it takes to get Doe-Doe back in Dallas.

How will the Dallas Mavericks improve their roster this offseason? What pieces can they add around Luka Doncic? It promises to be an eventful summer, so do not miss a second of the drama.