Report: Jazz Have ‘Strong Interest’ In Dorian Finney-Smith
Jan 30, 2023, 3:16 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2023, 2:28 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz have reportedly expressed strong interest in Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the team’s interest ahead of the upcoming February 9 trade deadline.
“The Jazz are expressing strong interest in Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, as teams have gotten the impression that Dallas would be open to moving the 29-year-old in the right deal for a star-caliber player,” Charania reported.
The Dallas Mavericks are open to moving Dorian Finney-Smith for a star player, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/aEvwdvXHPW
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 30, 2023
Finney-Smith is a familiar name to many Jazz fans after last year’s opening-round playoff series against the Mavericks.
The versatile forward proved to be a defensive menace against the Jazz and a dangerous three-point shooter averaging 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 39 percent from downtown.
The Jazz were eliminated by Finney-Smith and the Mavericks in six games.
“The Mavericks have an incredibly high price threshold for teams reaching out about Finney-Smith, rival executives say,” Charania reported.
Related: Utah Jazz Trade Deadline Tracker
Jazz Can Be Opportunistic At Trade Deadline
With a bevy of draft picks, and a team full of rotation-level players, the Jazz could be one of the major players at the deadline.
Sitting in the 10th seed in the Western Conference, just three games back of the third-seeded Sacramento Kings, and two games ahead of the 13th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz could be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
On Monday, Jazz pre, half, and postgame radio analyst Tim LaComb appeared on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone and shared his thoughts on the team’s plans during trade season.
“The eyes they’re viewing this with, the lense they’re viewing this with is opportunity,” LaComb said. “Opportunity to get better this year and make a run, or opportunity to get a whole lot of more pieces.”
The Jazz have reportedly been in the market for versatile forwards to play alongside Markkanen going forward.
The team has also been strongly linked to Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins in a deal built around guard Malik Beasley and wing Jarred Vanderbilt.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
