Being a big market team in the NBA comes with expectations. You’re supposed to contend. If you’re falling short of that measure, in all likelihood, you’ll look to improve your team when the trade deadline comes.
On the other hand, if you’re far enough away from contention, you might make other plans. Take the Brooklyn Nets. This team cannot win an NBA title in 2023-24. The Nets play in a major market, but they should be thinking about their future when the deadline comes.
The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have that luxury. They have a disappointing team, but with an aging LeBron James playing at an All-NBA level, they need to remain in win-now mode.
Could they swing a trade with the Nets at the deadline?
NBA Trade Proposal: Brooklyn Nets Land Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, F Rui Hachimura, 2029 First-Round Pick (Top 4 Protected – LAL)
The ability to think about the future is a luxury. That’s true in life as well as in the NBA. If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from you need to sort that out before you think about investing in a stock.
The Brooklyn Nets don’t know where their next meal is coming from. By “meal”, we mean “franchise player”. The Nets owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, through to 2027. Where will this team find talent?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In all likelihood, on the trade market. This creates tension for the Nets. They can’t afford to lose, but they can’t commit to this mediocre team either.
Does this team solve anything for them?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Sure. The Nets need playmaking. Russell is a playmaker. They’re giving up the best player in this trade (Finney-Smith), but they also have a surplus of similar 3-and-D wings. This deal may balance their roster.
Yet, it also improves their future. This pick from the Lakers will have reasonable value on the trade market. The Nets already have a solid collection of assets. Following this deal, they’ll be in a better position to trade for a star when they become available.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, don’t sell Hachimura short. He’s proven himself to be a solid contributor. This deal helps the Nets prepare for the future, and it could even make them more competitive in the present.
What does it do for the Lakers?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Plenty. The Lakers shouldn’t hesitate to make this deal. It should make them a substantially better team.
For starters, Dinwiddie may be a better fit than Russell next to James. Sure, Russell is the better playmaker. James is in a different league than either in that regard. Dinwiddie’s superior scoring chops may serve this team better than Russell’s floor vision.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Still, this is all about Finney-Smith for the Lakers. He’s a versatile defender who spaces the floor. This is the type of player that the Lakers are missing, and adding him could get them back to title contention. As usual, those are the expectations for the Lakers.
