Raise a hand if you’re excited about the NBA trade deadline. If your hand isn’t raised, we’ve got two possible explanations. Either you don’t love the NBA or feel silly about raising your hand in whatever situation you’re currently in.
We’re excited. The deadline is around the corner. As it stands, there are a few teams around the league who are primed to make a big trade.
Teams with a surplus of assets could make moves – in one direction or another. For example, the Oklahoma City Thunder surely aren’t looking to acquire more assets.
They’ve got enough – the Thunder should look to improve their roster. On the other hand, the Brooklyn Nets have plenty of assets – but amid a mediocre season, they could keep collecting.
Could they acquire some assets by sending Dorian Finney-Smith to the Thunder?
NBA Trade Proposal: Oklahoma City Thunder Land Brooklyn Nets’ Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Davis Bertans, G Vasilije Micic, 2024 Second-Round Pick (HOU via OKC), 2025 Second-Round Pick (PHI via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith, F Royce O’Neale
Fans are excited about the deadline. Teams may be nervous. They have big decisions to make that could impact the future of their organization moving forward.
Take the Nets. The Rockets control their draft through to 2027. This team has no incentive to lose. At the same time, Brooklyn is mediocre. They could look to accumulate assets to acquire a star.
Still, if they plummet to the bottom of the standings, they won’t be an appealing destination for the stars they could receive. The Thunder have difficult decisions to make as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Sure, they have a mountain of assets – is it time to start spending them? Should the Thunder go all-in for a star? Or, should they make a smaller deal for a role player like Finney-Smith?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
We don’t have all the answers. We will say this: we can understand if the Thunder have trepidation about trading for a star.
After all, this organization likely feels that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams are the young core of the future.
Still, the Thunder could use some veteran role players. In particular, this team could use a big 3-and-D wing who can play the 4. That’s Finney-Smith. He’d be a perfect addition to this roster.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
O’Neale is more of a bonus. Still, he’s another useful 3-and-D wing who will carve out a meaningful role in this player’s rotation.
Should the Nets part with two valuable players?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
It’s hard to know what the Nets should do. This team is in a bind. They don’t control their draft, but at the same time, they don’t have enough to compete.
Perhaps 2023-24 is a wash for the Nets. Following this deal, the roster would be depleted. The Nets would suddenly be likely to send the Rockets a lottery pick.
This deal is about ensuring that they’re not sending them lottery picks through to 2027. So, the Nets are flipping two role players for some assets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Eventually, they’ll look to trade for a star and get back to title contention. The Nets may sell at this year’s deadline – but that should give their fans a reason to get excited about deadlines in the future.
