The Brooklyn Nets are poised to become one of the major players at the trade deadline with plenty of tradable contracts. Two Nets guys remain in the rumor mill because Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale have continued to be part of trade scenarios.
It’s easy to see why they have attracted suitors because both players are superb defenders and have shown to have reliable three-point shooting. DFS and Royce are good veterans who can fit in any locker room as glue guys.
“Another scenario to keep an eye on, players that the Lakers do have interest in, I'm told, is three guys from the Nets: Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O'Neale,” NBA Insider Shams Charania said about the trade rumors.
What both players could fetch in the trade market
The Nets want draft compensation in exchange for both players, but Finney-Smith has a higher value. Brooklyn has asked DFS’ suitors for two first-round picks because of what he brings to the table as a three-and-D player.
However, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto has indicated that the Nets would accept a trade for Finney-Smith if it involved one first-round pick alongside a viable rotation player. That’s a good package for DFS because he can shoot the lights out while being a versatile wing on defense.
On the other hand, O’Neale was a player who could get traded for a first-round pick before. The value has lessened for a bit, and Scotto is reporting that the Nets would agree to a deal where they get multiple second-rounders. It is still a decent deal, considering he is in the final year of his contract.
The Nets should pull the trigger on trades
Brooklyn must make some trades before the deadline to commit to a direction. They have a young movement going with Cameron Thomas as the primary building block, and having 30-year-olds like DFS, O’Neale, and Spencer Dinwiddie around can delay development.
All three players are talented and can fit any team around the league. The Nets must capitalize on trades while the players have high values. They can grow outside of the Nets and help players on the Brooklyn roster get opportunities to contribute and get more minutes to develop further.
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