10 Way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidates Warriors should monitor
By Tyler Watts
6. Dorian Finney-Smith
The Nets may choose to trade Finney-Smith over Royce O’Neale. Brooklyn acquired Doe-Doe in the Kyrie Irving trade along with Spencer Dinwiddie. It was O’Neale that got more minutes after the trade, including playing four more each night in the postseason.
Finney-Smith only got 25.3 minutes per game in the playoffs and that was without Simmons. If the former All-Star further cuts into his playing time, the 6’7 forward could be looking for a new home before the deadline.
Finney-Smith went undrafted in 2016 but immediately jumped into the Mavericks rotation. He spent his first six and a half years in Dallas where he transformed into a starter and key 3-and-D wing. Doe-Doe was the team’s best perimeter defender in their 2022 run to the conference finals, but Dallas had to give him up to land Kyrie Irving.
The 6’7 forward’s shooting dipped in Brooklyn, but that should not be a concern after he made 38.9 percent over the previous three seasons combined. Finney-Smith is a plus shooter and defender that can help a contender.
The Golden State Warriors could play him at the four in their small ball lineup and wreak havoc on the matchups. Stephen Curry would play the opposition’s big man off the floor, and the Dubs could feast with this grouping.
The Nets want a first-round pick for Dorian Finney-Smith, but is Golden State willing and able to meet the asking price? It is certainly an option to explore before February’s deadline.