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The Milwaukee Bucks wish they could have traded for this “3-and-D” standout at the trade deadline
In a league populated with lethal perimeter scorers, a team with legitimate title hopes can never have enough “3-and-D” players. The Milwaukee Bucks are one such team. And even though the Bucks have numerous players of this ilk, like Pat Connaugton and Jae Crowder, one player Milwaukee should have pursued at the trade deadline is Dorian Finney-Smith.
Rugged, veteran player
According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, even though the Bucks didn’t have enticing assets to bring Brooklyn to the negotiating table, perhaps a bundle of their best assets could have done the job. Buckley’s trade proposal would have sent Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp, AJ Green, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Nets for Finney-Smith.
Acquiring the 30-year-old forward would have been a boon for the Bucks’ defense.
“Finney-Smith is essentially a souped-up version of Connaughton and Jae Crowder. Finney-Smith is the best defender of the bunch and perhaps the top three-point threat, too. His three-ball went haywire last season, but it's finally back on track, meaning this is the fourth time in five seasons that he's shot above 37 percent from range,” Buckley wrote.
Low-maintenance, high quality
This season, the 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. But more than the counting stats, the things Finney-Smith does best don’t often reflect on the box score. His commitment to defense and ability to space the floor make him an ideal fit for the Bucks’ system.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, the Bucks have built a reputation as one of the top defensive teams in the league. Adding Finney-Smith to their roster would have solidified that reputation and given them even more versatility on that end of the court.
Buckley concluded, “Between his low-maintenance offense and defensive versatility, he could easily crack Milwaukee's closing five.”
