Fan favorite Finney-Smith really enjoyed his time with Mavs

When Dorian Finney-Smith joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2016, he was an undrafted 23 year old rookie out of Florida whose stout defense was his main calling card.

By the time Finney-Smith left the Mavs – via a trade to the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 6, 2023 – he was a seasoned veteran who had worked himself into a deadly three-point shooter, especially from the corners.

Mavs coach Jason Kidd said Finney-Smith was instrumental in helping his team reach the 2022 Western Conference Finals. He also was a fixture in the Dallas community and often lending his name, time and money to numerous causes, and he was very popular with the fans.

“He was great,” Kidd said. “His journey here in Dallas was incredible. He’s one of the Mavs’ faves.

“Just understanding the time that he put in that gym to develop his game on both ends – offensively and defensively. And he helped us win.”

The Mavs traded Spencer Dinwiddie, Finney-Smith, second-round picks in 2027 and 29, and an unprotected first-round selection in 2029 to the Nets for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. And this past Dec. 29, the Nets traded Shake Milton and Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks.

Finney-Smith, who was at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night for the nationally televised game between the Mavs and Lakers, told Mavs.com that he misses his time playing those seven-plus seasons for the Mavs.

“I miss obviously the fans and how they took me in,” Finney-Smith said. “I was a young kid from college.”

Tuesday was Finney-Smith’s fifth game with the Lakers. He had 13 points on 5-of-9 shots during Sunday’s 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets.

And he collected 11 points on 3-of-4 three-pointers during the Mavs’ 118-97 blowout win over the Lakers on Tuesday.

 “Outside of the first half of the Atlanta game (last Friday), he’s been really good defensively for us,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I think it’s apparent for a group that isn’t the most chatty and talkative in-game to have someone who’s very verbal in their communication.

“I think it elevates our group even more.”

Since he’s out of the Eastern Conference and now back in the Western Conference, there’s another thing on Finney-Smith’s schedule that got elevated. He said: “At least I get to come here (to Dallas) twice a year now.”

Because Finney-Smith played four-and-half seasons with Mavs mega-star point guard Luka Dončić, playing alongside Laker greats LeBron James and Anthony Davis should be a seamless transition, according to Kidd.

“He understands LeBron and AD,” Kidd said. “Those guys will create open shots.

“He’s shooting the three at a high clip. He’s played with that type of player (in Dončić) who’s going to get you wide open looks, and he’s a guy who can knock them down.

“It’s good to see him in LA. He definitely will help the Lakers.”

Redick sure hopes so. He knows Finney-Smith has the ability to stretch opposing defenses with his three-point exploits.

“We saw that when we played small on driving and closeouts,” Redick said. “He’s not going to wow you.

“He just makes the right play, makes the simple play. He does it consistently. He’s someone you can trust.”

For Finney-Smith, trust in the NBA started in his career with the Mavs. He still has a home in Dallas.

“A lot of people think Dallas is my home,” Finney-Smith said. “That’s how well they took me in.

“This is always going to be my second home. I love it here.

“Tonight, I get to see some of the good faces. It’s always great vibes with my family to be here.”

REDICK ON THE CALIFORNIA FIRES: At the conclusion of his pre-game press conference, Lakers coach JJ Redick commented on the wildfires in the neighborhood of Pacific Palisades near Los Angeles. It’s a neighborhood where Redick and his family lives.

“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now, which is where I live,” Redick said. “My family and my wife’s family and my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated.

“I know that a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of the things with the winds coming tonight, I know a lot of people are scared. I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure and I hope everybody stays safe.”

X: @DwainPrice