NBA Insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently published a story on HoopsHype titled “Top NBA trade candidates for the 2023-24 season,” in which he links the Philadelphia 76ers to Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith. In the article, Scotto states that multiple teams are “monitoring Brooklyn’s wings, including Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neal.”
Scotto also brought up how the Sixers, among other teams, had expressed some level of interest in the veteran forward. As far as his value, Scotto states that the Nets wing will be an expensive addition to any team, given his contract status. That being said, could Dorian Finney-Smith be a key player for Philadelphia to target?
Finney-Smith’s Fit
Dorian Finney-Smith has long been known for his excellent defensive skills and instincts. Then, when he was able to add a reliable three-point shot, he became an excellent 3&D specialist on the wing for Dallas. Last season, Finney-Smith was included in the trade package from the Mavericks to the Brooklyn Nets for star guard Kyrie Irving.
After the trade, Finney-Smith struggled from deep, shooting 30.6% over his last 26 games last season. However, this year the former Florida Gator is shooting a career-high 44.1% from three on a career-high 6.0 three-pointers attempted per game. He is also averaging 10.8 points per game across 17 contests in which he is averaging 30.9 minutes per game.
Finney-Smith, in terms of talent and on-court fit, is one of the best fits in a Sixers lineup that thrives off of shooting and defense. His ability to knock down open jumpers could be absolutely vital on a team with guys like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Why the Sixers Wouldn’t Trade for Him
The Philadelphia 76ers are in a unique situation among teams looking to contend for the next few years. They have their superstar center locked down for the foreseeable future. Their young, up-and-coming point guard is a restricted free agent with a $13 million cap hold this offseason and will resign once Philadelphia makes the necessary moves.
Other than those two, Jaden Springer is the only other Sixer on the cap table for next season, meaning that the Sixers have a considerable amount of money to spend in free agency or in trades. If they were to trade for Finney-Smith, it would change their plans.
The Sixers are set to have a ton of money next year for free agency, nearly enough for a second-level max contract. With many stars and incredible players set to hit the open market, like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Jrue Holiday, and Pascal Siakam, Philadelphia has been planning on making a big splash in the offseason.
That all changes with a potential addition of Dorian Finney-Smith. He carries a 14.9 million dollar cap hit next year and would cripple any chances of the Sixers adding a third star in free agency. While Finney-Smith is a great player and would fit the team’s scheme nicely, the Sixers wouldn’t dare jeopardize their master plan.
