NBA Trade Deadline: Evaluating Dorian Finney-Smith Packages

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a position to improve their roster at the NBA Trade Deadline, and Nets veteran Dorian Finney-Smith would be a welcomed addition to Oklahoma City.

With the NBA Trade Deadline right around the corner, the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-16) are in a prime position to improve their roster. Brooklyn Nets veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith has been linked to the Thunder and could serve as a massive punch to OKC's bench. 

---

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Notable Stats

Dorian Finney-Smith has played in many big games, hit many significant shots, and earned a lot of big stops on the defensive end. The Dallas Mavericks saw Finney-Smith help them reach the Western Conference Finals in 2021-22 and give big production in the starting four spot. 

This season for the Nets, Finney-Smith is averaging 9.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 stocks per game. For Brooklyn, the veteran forward shoots 41 percent from the floor, 38 percent from beyond the arc and 70 percent from the charity stripe. 

Contract Situation

Finney-Smith is owed $13.3 million this season, $14.3 million next season, and a $15.3 million player option in 2025-26, which he almost assuredly will pick up. The veteran forward will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 at age 33.  

Thunder Fit

Finney-Smith is a floor-spacing forward who cashes in catch-and-shoot jumpers at a 39.9 percent clip. The former Maverick can help unclog the lane for a lone drive and cut heavy Thunder players who do their damage in the paint. 

He embodies 3-and-D, hanging his hat on the defensive end as a weapon that can defend 1 through 5 in a pinch and truly thrive switching 2 through 4. The Florida product, who spent time with Mark Daigneault with the Gators, has never played around this complement of defenders as he would in Bricktown. That will only make Finney-Smith better on that end. 

The veteran forward has played in 35 career playoff games, shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc on his way to 10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 stocks per game. Knowing how to play in big moments while helping Luka Doncic come within three games of the NBA Finals.  

Between understanding how to help young squads and, by all accounts, being a great locker-room guy, he makes for the perfect 3-and-D option for Oklahoma City, two traits you can never have enough of in the NBA. 

The Nets forward would allow the Thunder to get creative closing games, especially in matchups where Giddey struggles to space the floor or Oklahoma City is in need of a few late-game stops. This would be a no-brainer when you factor in what it would take to acquire Finney-Smith. 

Market Value

While the Brooklyn Nets have held firm that they want a first-round pick for Finney-Smith, deadlines make deals. Brooklyn will certainly be forced to be more reasonable with their veteran wing as the seconds tick by. Ultimately, giving up a first-round pick in a relatively poor 2024 NBA Draft would not be the worst thing for Oklahoma City to outbid their counterparts, as they have the luxury to do so. 

If it comes down to second-round picks, the Thunder have 20 tradeable seconds to help make this deal. Any package that includes salary matching and seconds is a massive win for Oklahoma City. 

The Thunder currently have Aleksej Pokusevski, Davis Bertans, and Tre Mann, who do not factor into Daigneault's rotation in the slightest, so using them along with picks to send an upgrade to this rost is only a net positive. 

Given Brooklyn's lofty asking price, it is unsure how serious they are about making a move, but if they are open to letting go of Finney-Smith, he could really help the Thunder.

---

NBA Trade Deadline: Evaluating Jalen Smith Packages

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.