Although Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith have been frequently mentioned in trade rumors within the last few weeks, Marc Stein says in his latest Substack article that the safe money is on both players remaining with the Mavericks through the February 10 trade deadline.
Dallas has rebuffed trade interest in Brunson and Finney-Smith so far, according to Stein, who notes that both players are important parts of the team’s current roster. Discussing Brunson specifically, Stein says the Mavs believe the point guard wants to stick with the team long-term and haven’t considered the idea of sending him to the Knicks in a deal that would allow them to reacquire their 2023 first-round pick.
While the Mavs would ideally like to extend both Brunson and Finney-Smith before they reach unrestricted free agency this summer, it’s unclear if either player will be interested in a four-year, $55.6MM deal, which is the most Dallas can offer at this point. A previous report stated that Finney-Smith may be seeking $15MM+ annually on his next contract, and Stein says Brunson is believed to after $18MM+ per year.
Here’s more on the Mavs:
- As they consider potential deadline moves, the Mavs are looking to upgrade their offense rather than their defense, which is why they backed off pursuing rim-protecting Pacers center Myles Turner, Stein writes.
- Dallas’ ability to make an impact trade may be hindered by the lack of interest in many of their players outside of Brunson and Finney-Smith, according to Stein. Tim Hardaway Jr. was having a down year before he got hurt, and the perceived trade value of Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell has “waned,” Stein adds.
- Sources tell Stein that using their $10.9MM trade exception to acquire guard Dennis Schröder from the Celtics isn’t in the Mavs’ plans.
- If Goran Dragic is bought out, either by the Raptors or by a team that acquires him as a salary-matching piece, Dallas would be among the frontrunners to sign him, but multiple clubs would be in the running, according to Stein.
Dragic sucks. Such a cry baby. Doesn’t deserve to go to a contender. I hate guys like that.
Despite the fact that the Raptors only traded for Dragic as a means to aquire Achiuwa and only wanting Dragic to flip him for another piece and him not wanting to play there either he still showed up to training camp, mentored the youngsters and helped acclimate Achiuwa. Then shortly after the season started Nurse decided to bench him in favor of going with the younger players Dragic decided to leave team for personal reasons but continues to stay in shape so he’s ready to go if and when he’s traded.
Personally I respect guys lake that.
All top 10 teams can’t afford DFS and Brunson
Almost all playoffs teams can’t afford either
Tax is too much
It’s has to pack with THJ
Hardaway (likely out for the year) for Dragic’s expiring contract straight up could be interesting. It would free up cash for Dallas in the offseason for Brunson and/or Finney-Smith, while giving Toronto a consistent scoring threat for next year.
Raptors are 8th seed tie, target playoffs
Trade idea
Raptors get Grant
Mavs get Dragic
Pistons get Hardaway and Mavs 2024 top 10 protected First
Mavs can only trade their 2025 pick IF they remove the protection on their 2023 pick that the owe the knicks.
Plus why would Pistons accept this???? Grant for a pick in the 20s and thj who is out for season and has been under performing. Lol stop playing 2k and doing 2k trades hahaha
Why would the Mavs give up a first and THJ for half a season of Dragic?
It’s too get rid of thj contract. So they can resign Brunson and finneysmith in offseason without going into luxury tax
Yes, the smart money is always on the side of a prospective playoff team keeping its short rotation pieces, particularly if their trade value is limited (rising UFAs generally don’t fetch anything near what they’re worth on the floor, particularly if their existing team is looking to move them due to their contract demands).
Grant us worth more than Hardway and 1st round pick IMO.
It’s more like a dinner prayer than a talent equation with the “us/is” typo :D
Personally I would like to trade Dwight Powell, even though he does terrific work in the community, and beloved by all, but that doesn’t matter as they doesnt win you championships.
Chriss has also outplayed powell the past few games and plays fewer minutes. Powell is expendable.
If hawks really just want a starter and a first for collins, why not trade our 2025 1st (or 2026 or 2027 whatever ATL perfers). Maxi and reggie bullock. Or trade reggie to a 3rd team and create a 12ish million trade exception for Atlanta. This also helps out Atlantas cap when they need to extend Young and Hunter.
2nd trade would be THJ and Powell (if carlise still wants the both of them) for myles turner. KP is hurt a lot and they missed his rim protection last night against Orlando. For this trade to work, it would be two separate transactions. Mavs trade lamb for their 11m trade exception. And then Powell and thj and a 1st for turner
Terrible deal for Hawks
Age
Collins 24
Maxi 30
Bullock 30
Iverpaid
You don’t understand Hawks starter mean
You don’t understand that the hawks are trying to shed salary. And that maxi gets blocks at a higher rate than collins. ATL also has a ton of shooters, getting rid of collins opens up about 10 more shots for young, galli and bog. More 3 point attempts. Maxi only takes about 5 shots a game and stretch the floor better than collins
Lakers get DFS
Mavs get Lu Dort 2 year contract
Thunder get Lakers 2027 first and bazemore
Lakers have no huge future plan
Thunder would never accept that. Why tf would they trade Lu Dort for Kent friggin Bazemore?
2027 Lakers First is huge
You don’t understand that the hawks are trying to shed salary. And that maxi gets blocks at a higher rate than collins. ATL also has a ton of shooters, getting rid of collins opens up about 10 more shots for young, galli and bog. More 3 point attempts. Maxi only takes about 5 shots a game and stretch the floor better than collins