One NBA writer is proposing that the Milwaukee Bucks trade for Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith this summer to bolster the supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Bucks send Grayson Allen, MarJon Beauchamp and a 2029 first-round pick (top-four protected) to the Nets for Finney-Smith. The Bucks face a limited set of trade assets, but were willing to move many of what they have last deadline for Finney-Smith.
“The Bucks don’t have the biggest trade budget, so they might only have one shot to get this right,” Buckley wrote. “Given their needs for defense and shooting on the perimeter, they should make a strong offer for Dorian Finney-Smith. Now, he won’t be cheap. The Nets were reportedly offered two first-round picks for him ahead of the deadline, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. If this trade package would suffice, though, Milwaukee should pounce.”
The goal for the Bucks would be to add a versatile defender that can handle challenging on-ball assignments. During a Western Conference Finals run last season, he filled this role for the Dallas Mavericks and would enhance Milwaukee’s defense similarly.
“Finney-Smith is a shape-shifting defender with the length, strength, smarts and effort needed to pester point-producers of nearly all sizes and styles. In Brooklyn’s first-round series, he held James Harden, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris to a combined 4-of-19 shooting (21.1 percent).”
The Nets acquired Finney-Smith from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kyrie Irving trade. The swingman averaged 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists with Dallas and Brooklyn while shooting 39.1% from the field, 33.7% from beyond the arc and 76.3% from the free-throw line.
The Bucks, despite having All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton, lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. There would be some concern about Finney-Smith’s regression from 3-point range, but he does have a prior track record to count on.
The Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer as head coach and hired Adrian Griffin. It will be interesting to see if the front office makes any trades this summer.
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