Brooklyn Nets acquire Dorian Finney-Smith in James Harden trade with the Dallas Mavericks

What does this mean for the Nets?

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired Dorian Finney-Smith in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, the team announced Thursday.

Finney-Smith, a 6-foot-7 forward, is averaging 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game this season. He is a solid defender and a good three-point shooter, shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc this season.

The Nets gave up a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick in the deal.

Why did the Nets make this trade?

The Nets made this trade to add some toughness and defense to their team. Finney-Smith is a physical player who can guard multiple positions.

The Nets have been struggling defensively this season, ranking 29th in the NBA in defensive rating. Finney-Smith should help improve their defense.

What does this mean for the Mavericks?

The Mavericks traded Finney-Smith to the Nets to clear cap space. The Mavericks are trying to sign Kyrie Irving in free agency this summer, and they needed to clear cap space to do so.

Finney-Smith was a valuable player for the Mavericks, but he was not a part of their long-term plans. The Mavericks are building around Luka Doncic, and Finney-Smith is not a good fit for that team.