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The Mavericks keep Nicolas Brussino, Dorian Finney-Smith on the final 15-man roster

The roster is set as Finney-Smith has made the team before the season opener on Wednesday.

By Tim Cato
NBA: Preseason-Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks have cut their roster to 15 players, keeping Nicolas Brussino and Dorian Finney-Smith, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

The players cut from the roster include Jonathan Gibson, Kyle Collinsworth, Keith Hornsby, Jaleel Cousins and C.J. Williams.

Brussino was expected to make the roster once the Mavericks passed the 5 p.m. deadline on Wednesday that fully guaranteed his contract. The Argentinian forward had several impressive outings in the preseason, showing his worth as a lanky 6’8 shooter who can handle the ball.

Finney-Smith had a rough Summer League but rebounded well during the preseason, making 6-of-15 threes and showing off good defensive instincts with his athletic 6’8 frame.

Here’s what the Mavericks’ final 15-man roster looks like now, with the starting lineup first.

  1. Deron Williams
  2. Wesley Matthews
  3. Harrison Barnes
  4. Dirk Nowitzki
  5. Andrew Bogut

And the reserves.

  • Justin Anderson
  • J.J. Barea
  • Devin Harris
  • Dwight Powell
  • Seth Curry
  • Quincy Acy
  • Salah Mejri
  • A.J. Hammons
  • Nicolas Brussino
  • Dorian Finney-Smith

Both players will likely play at least a few games with the Texas Legends this season, especially Brussino.

Before Wednesday’s preseason game, Rick Carlisle said there was four to five players still battling for the team’s final roster spot. At the time, he said Brussino was one of the players still fighting for a spot, with 14 players all but locks for the team in his eyes.

Many Mavs reporters believed Jonathan Gibson had an inside track on one of the final roster spots when the preseason started, after his hot Summer League performance combined with his minimum guaranteed salary. Gibson was also apparently an apple in Mark Cuban’s eye, but he didn’t carry over his Summer League shooting to the preseason. Tall, athletic forwards who can slide up and down a position are important in today’s NBA and Gibson just couldn’t carve out a spot with the Mavs crowded backcourt.

The Mavs open the season Wednesday at Indiana.

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