The Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of a respectable 2021-22 NBA season. They hold a 24-19 overall record and rank fifth in the Western Conference standings despite being without Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis for long stretches as of late.
While it remains to be seen how far this Mavericks will go, they will face some tough situations soon when it comes to determining which players to keep.
Jalen Brunson has garnered a lot of attention for his strong play ahead of his unrestricted free agency. However, Dorian Finney-Smith will need to be accounted for as well.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Mavericks are unlikely to retain both Brunson and Finney-Smith as they each are soon to be free agents. Dallas is facing a tough financial landscape to navigate without avoiding the luxury tax if they were to retain both.
Teams are circling Dorian Finney-Smith as a strong trade candidate in Dallas. Both Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson will enter unrestricted free agency this summer, and the financial squeeze on the Mavericks will likely be too significant to retain both.
There are plenty of layers that need to be taken into account for the Mavericks. Jalen Brunson will have plenty of suitors in the offseason and will have his choice of where to go since he isn’t going to be a restricted free agent. He’s become linked increasingly to the New York Knicks as of late.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets Involving Finney-Smith For Mavs To Consider
The Mavericks must determine if they are willing to pay the premium price for Brunson. The answer likely would be ‘yes’ considering the restricted nature of their assets and salary cap spending room with Luka Doncic beginning a supermax contract in 2022-23.
To maximize spending room and avoid losing him for nothing, moving Finney-Smith could be the player the Dallas Mavericks look to move as a result.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets Involving Finney-Smith For Mavs To Consider
One team that has been linked to Dorian Finney-Smith has been the Indiana Pacers due to the Rick Carlisle connection. They would also need to be willing to pay him and could use more help on the wing. However, not playing alongside an elite creator like Luka Doncic could result in real decline in his impact.
