Lauri Markkanen sign-and-trade targets from the Mavs: Dorian Finney-Smith
If the Mavs and Bulls wanted to discuss a different position to potentially send in return to Chicago in a sign-and-trade seeing Markkanen off to Dallas could be the wing. The Mavs don’t have a whole lot of top-notch depth on the wing, but they do have some rather intriguing pieces that could fit nicely with Donovan and the Bulls.
The Bulls do have some switchable depth to play on the wing after re-signing the former Boston Celtics shooting guard Javonte Green this offseason. But there’s not a whole lot of proven depth on the wing among true small forwards that the Bulls have. The two backup wings at this point are likely to be shooting guard/small forward Troy Brown Jr. and Green.
That’s why adding someone like the former Florida Gators’ forward and 28-year-old Mavs small forward Dorian Finney-Smith makes so much sense for the Bulls. Bringing the ability to play as a small-ball four, or a regular three, to the table is something that could be really valuable to the Bulls. He’s actually switched between the three and the four almost evenly with the Mavs in the past three seasons.
Adding DFS would likely involve the Bulls getting someone else in a sign-and-trade with the Mavs. DFS is paid just $4 million in salary through the end of next season. Getting a third team involved in sign-and-trade talks, or adding another minimum-level player to the deal, could get this swap done in the end.