https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1374157646840934400
Quote:“It’s common knowledge,” a league source told The News of the Mavericks, “that they want another long defender who can make threes.”
Quote:Perhaps ironically, the same source said there is interest around the league in Finney-Smith because of the intangibles he possesses – lock-down defensive ability, team-first mentality and quite a value at his salary of $4 million this season and next.
The source said the Mavericks aren’t shopping Finney-Smith, but, rather, teams’ interest in him is organic, perhaps fueled by the general belief that Dallas is exploring the market for forwards, seemingly making Finney-Smith more expendable.
Quote:The trouble is, to acquire a player of Collins’ or Gordon’s caliber, the Mavericks likely would have to part with at least one of their valued rotation players – Finney-Smith, Jalen Brunson, perhaps Maxi Kleber.
In addition to a promising younger player, Atlanta and Orlando also reportedly are seeking a first-round pick.
Because of the league rule prohibiting teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years, and because New York owns Dallas’ 2021 and 2023 first-round picks – the soonest first-round pick Dallas could trade is 2025. And even to do that, the Mavericks would have to remove the top-ten protection on the 2023 pick and convey it to the Knicks outright.
Quote:Conversely, 28-year-old Fournier, who is averaging 19.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds, is on an expiring $17 million contract and probably could be acquired with James Johnson’s expiring $15.9 contract and a lesser supplemental package than Collins or Gordon would require.
Quote:As of Monday evening, two league sources said the Hawks are resisting overtures for Collins. Atlanta carried an eight-game winning streak into Monday’s late game at the Clippers and 23-year-old Collins has been outstanding, averaging 18.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in March.
Collins, 23, will become a restricted free agent this offseason, so if he isn’t traded before Thursday’s deadline the Mavericks could make him a qualifying offer in the summer.