Memphis Grizzlies General Manager and Executive Vice President Zach Kleiman has been mostly viewed as a good roster builder, including winning the NBA Executive of the Year award for the 2021-22 season. However, he has had his blunders, including not completing a reported trade for then-Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith in December 2024.
The Grizzlies were reportedly close to completing a deal to trade Luke Kennard, John Konchar, and a 2024 first-round draft pick for Finney-Smith, but Kleiman requested their 2024 second-round pick. That additional negotiation tactic was the difference as the Nets traded Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers the next day after the Grizzlies deal was reported.
Fast forward to now, Finney-Smith declined his $15.4M player option to enter unrestricted free agency, offering the Grizzlies an opportunity to add the player who could've changed their outlook last season. Finney-Smith would still fill a need for the Grizzlies that has become bigger since they traded away Desmond Bane.
Dorian Finney-Smith would fill a huge need in the Grizzlies' lineup
The Grizzlies' biggest need last season was a veteran 3-and-D wing to support their big three of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. That need remains after the Grizzlies traded Bane to the Orlando Magic to convert to a two-man duo tandem of Morant and Jackson Jr. instead.
They traded up in the first round of the NBA draft to select coveted forward Cedric Coward to partially fill that need. However, he doesn't check off the veteran part of that need which the team will need to transition into a championship contender.
When the Grizzlies initially inquired about trading for Finney-Smith, it was unknown whether he would be used as a starter, or a top reserve behind then-rookie forward Jaylen Wells. Without Bane in tow, he would likely be plugged in as the starting small forward as Wells is projected to slide up to the shooting guard slot, vacated by Bane's departure.
Finney-Smith is a career 36.2% shooter from three, including a career-high 41.1% last season. Also, at age 32 and with a Western Conference Finals appearance under his belt, he'd add additional playoff experience alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to aid Morant and Jackson Jr. in leading the team to new heights.
Adding flexible two-way players was Zach Kleiman's biggest goal this offseason, and revisiting the addition of Dorian Finney-Smith is there for the taking without the need to negotiate with another team. The Grizzlies have the avenues to add him as a free agent, and should do whatever it takes to add him to the roster.