Sometimes, an NBA team has a glaring need. One look at their roster reveals it. They need a player with a certain skill set. If they acquire that player, they’ll be a substantially different squad.
Take the Indiana Pacers. There’s no ambiguity about this team. They’ve got one of the best young point guards in the NBA in Tyrese Haliburton. They’ve got one of the league’s best 3-and-D big men in Myles Turner, and an elite movement shooter in Buddy Hield. What they don’t have is a two-way wing that can play the 4.
Perhaps that’s why they’ve been linked to so many of those players this summer. We’ve seen speculation that the Pacers could target Pascal Siakam, Tobias Harris and Jonathan Kuminga. What about Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets receive: F/C Daniel Theis, F/C Jalen Smith
Indiana Pacers receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith
On the other hand, it isn’t always a position that a team needs to fill. Sometimes, it’s broader than that. Some teams just need a player with a certain skill set.
Meanwhile, some skill sets are more scarce than others? Need a defensive big man? You’ll find one. Some will cost more than others on the trade market, but the point stands – there are plenty of defensive big men around the league. By contrast, finding an offensive superstar will be a little more difficult.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets & Indiana Pacers Updates
That’s what the Nets need. This team has got plenty of valuable role players. They’re missing an offensive alpha. Does this deal get them closer to landing one?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Yes and no? This deal doesn’t directly land the Nets an offensive alpha – obviously. Even Daniel Theis’ own mother wouldn’t describe him that way, and Jalen Smith will never play that role in the NBA either.
Yet, Smith is still just 23. He’s flashed plenty of potential in this league – he’s just been inconsistent. If he turns a corner, he could be a 3-and-D combo big man who provides plenty of value. Arguably, he’s the most valuable trade chip in this package.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets & Indiana Pacers Updates
That’s why the Nets do this deal. They’re losing the most impactful win-now player in the trade, but they’re landing the player with the highest potential. Meanwhile, this team is stacked with 3-and-D wings – they can spare Finney-Smith. Do the Pacers need him badly enough to part with this package?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Read between the lines, and we already told you why the Pacers do this deal. They need a 3-and-D wing who can play the 4. Dorian Finney-Smith is a 3-and-D wing who can play the 4. This is an open-and-shut case.
Is he the perfect fit? No. Finney-Smith is a wildly inconsistent three-point shooter. When his shot isn’t falling, he doesn’t offer much else on offense. At the same time, that’s why the Pacers are getting him at this low price.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets & Indiana Pacers Updates
Meanwhile, Smith may not factor into their future plans very prominently. He’s probably best at the 5. Turner has that spot locked up, and even Isaiah Jackson may be ahead of Smith in the pecking order. On the other hand, the Pacers could badly use a 4 – we’ve been clear enough about that.
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