Top 5 landing spots for Dorian Finney-Smith as Brooklyn Nets put hefty price on 6'7" forward
According to the NBA rumor mill, Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith is available for trade, but any team that wants him will need to be willing to surrender two first-round picks or something equivalent. This might seem like a high price to pay, but as a 3-and-D wing, Finney-Smith possesses a skill set that is valuable for a "win-now" team.
Teams that believe they are one or two pieces away from winning a title are more than willing to surrender some first-round picks if it means they'll be at the top of the league at the end. As such, it isn't difficult to see Finney-Smith moving to a contender before the NBA's Trade Deadline.
Here are five teams that could add him to their current roster to bolster their championship aspirations.
Top 5 teams that could trade for Dorian Finney-Smith before the Trade Deadline
#5 Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have battled their way back to relevancy after making their first playoff appearance since 2006 last season. This season, they look poised to earn another playoff berth thanks to their offensive firepower. The Kings are certainly a playoff team, but they aren't title favorites just yet, and a major weakness for them is their defense.
The team could address this by trading for the Nets' defensive stalwart, Dorian Finney-Smith. They have plenty of their own picks until 2030 and have a few young talents they can add should Brooklyn ask for more.
#4 Indiana Pacers
Thanks to their excellent display of team basketball, the Indiana Pacers hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. They are the number one team on offense currently, with a rating of 122.3, but their defense leaves a lot to be desired.
They are 26th in the NBA in defense with a rating of 119.6, which could severely affect any real championship hopes they have. This can be addressed with the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith.
#3 Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are being buoyed by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on offense, leading to them being the 10th-best offensive-rated team currently (117.5). However, their inconsistencies on defense are weighing them down, as they are only 18th in that regard.
To address this issue, Dorian Finney-Smith could end up returning to the team he started his career with. His return will be a major step in ensuring that the Mavs can become serious contenders while Irving is still a part of their squad.
#2 Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns look more and more like they need to make some changes. Of course, the team would like to retain Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, but they will need to surround them with the right talent and fast.
As the 16th-rated defensive team, adding versatile defenders to their team would go a long way in propelling them forward the rest of the season. The Suns could address this need by dealing with the Nets before the deadline to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith.
#1 Denver Nuggets
Despite their defense being considered as a weakness last season, the Denver Nuggets were still able to win it all. This season, their defense is ranked tenth in the league, which is a major improvement from their 15th position last season. However, there is still some room for improvement for the defending champs.
Adding a versatile defender who can also receive some timely kick-out passes from Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray for an easy three will certainly increase their chances of repeating. Dorian Finney-Smith is a prime candidate for them to improve their roster.