Dallas Basketball Coach’s Corner: Should Mavericks Trade Maxi Kleber for Dorian Finney-Smith?
As the Dallas Mavericks continue to refine their roster in pursuit of an NBA championship, the idea of trading Maxi Kleber for Brooklyn Nets’ Dorian Finney-Smith is a rational one to consider. Below, we examine a potential trade, comparing the two players' contributions, fit within the team's system, and statistical production to determine whether the Mavericks should pursue this deal.
Kleber is known for his defensive prowess and 3-point shooting. Standing at 6-10, Kleber provides valuable rim protection and the ability to guard multiple positions. Last season, Kleber averaged 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 20.3 minutes per game. He shot 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, showcasing some ability to stretch the floor. His defensive metrics are more impressive, with a Defensive Box Plus-Minus of 1.2, highlighting his impact on that end of the floor.
Dorian Finney-Smith, a versatile forward, is celebrated for his defensive capabilities and rebounding. At 6-7, Finney-Smith can guard positions from shooting guard to power forward. Last season, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 32.2 minutes per game, while shooting 34.8 percent from three-point range. Finney-Smith's defensive statistics, such as a DBPM of 0.5, reflect his reliability as a perimeter defender.
Offensively, Kleber's 3-point shooting is a significant asset. His ability to space the floor is crucial in today's NBA, especially for a team led by playmakers like Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Kleber's career three-point percentage of 35.7 percent indicates consistent shooting, providing spacing that allows the Mavericks' primary ball handlers to operate more effectively.
Finney-Smith, while slightly less efficient from deep (career 3-point percentage of 35.5 percent), contributes more in terms of rebounding and physicality. His ability to score off cuts and in transition adds a different dimension to the Mavericks' offense. Finney-Smith's offensive versatility, combined with his rebounding, offers a more well-rounded offensive profile compared to Kleber.
Defensively, both players bring valuable skills, but in different areas. Kleber's shot-blocking and interior defense are helpful for the Mavs, who occasionally struggle with rim protection. His 0.7 blocks per game last season underscore his role as a deterrent in the paint.
Finney-Smith excels on the perimeter, often tasked with defending the opposing team's best wing players. His lateral quickness, 7’ wingspan, and strength make him a formidable defender against both guards and forwards. Finney-Smith's ability to switch onto multiple positions fits well in a switch-heavy defensive scheme, providing the Mavericks with flexibility in their defensive matchups.
Advanced metrics provide further insights into each player's impact. Kleber's Player Efficiency Rating of 12.8 and Win Shares per 48 minutes of .090 suggest that he is a solid, if unspectacular, contributor. His Value Over Replacement Player of 0.6 indicates a moderate impact.
Finney-Smith, with a PER of 10.6 and WS/48 of .064, has lower efficiency numbers, but his VORP of 0.3 reflects his steady contributions. His defensive versatility, however, often does not fully translate into these advanced metrics, underscoring the value of his intangibles and on-court presence.
The Mavericks' potential decision to trade Kleber for Finney-Smith should be guided by their goals and priorities. If the Mavericks prioritize floor spacing and rim protection, Kleber's skill set is perferable. His ability to stretch the floor and defend the rim complements the team's offensive and defensive schemes, particularly with Dončić and Irving driving the offense.
Conversely, if the Mavericks seek to enhance their perimeter defense and rebounding, Finney-Smith's contributions become more valuable. His versatility in defending multiple positions and ability to contribute in transition and off the ball add depth to the Mavericks' lineup.
The decision to trade Kleber for Finney-Smith would hinge on the Mavericks' specific needs and strategic direction. Kleber's floor spacing and rim protection are crucial for a team built around dynamic guards, while Finney-Smith's versatility, rebounding, and perimeter defense offer a different set of strengths.
Ultimately, the Mavericks would need to weigh the immediate benefits of Kleber's shooting and defense against the long-term advantages of Finney-Smith's versatility and physicality. Both players bring valuable skills to the table, and the ideal choice would depend on the Mavericks' vision for their roster and how they plan to address their most pressing needs.
And obviously, despite all the reasons for why the Mavericks would do this trade, there would need to be a reason for the Nets to do it as well, meaning that Dallas would likely have to sweeten the pot by throwing in a young player on a cheap contract like Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Jaden Hardy or AJ Lawson.
