As a general rule, the worst teams in the NBA don’t make win-now rules. This is the standard expectation. If your team is one of the worst in the league, you should be looking for assets.
On the other hand, a team may have a breaking point. It’s one thing to be one of the worst teams in the NBA. It’s another thing if you’ve been in that position for years. In that event, you may prefer to make a win-now trade – even if you’re not ready.
Take the Detroit Pistons. They’re the worst team in the NBA. That was also true last season. The Pistons have been rebuilding for a long time, and some have suggested that they could make a win-now move at the trade deadline.
Could they acquire Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Joe Harris, 2026 First-Round Pick (DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith, G/F Royce O’Neale
With that said, every team in the NBA has the same eventual end goal. They’re trying to win an NBA title. The only question is whether they’re trying to win one now, or later.
There are different paths to that same goal as well. Often, we’d prefer to see teams build the organic way. We want them to draft their core and let them grow together. With that said, you can build a superteam through the trade and free agency markets as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons Updates
That’s what the Nets did. Unfortunately, that team quickly fell apart. Now, it’s hard to say what the path forward is for this team. Does this deal make it clearer?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Every team has its circumstances as well. The Nets face some unique conditions. They owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, to the Houston Rockets through to 2027.
On the other hand, they also play in one of the biggest markets in the league. That gives Brooklyn an advantage. If a star player becomes available, there’s a higher chance that they’ll be satisfied to wind up on the Nets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons Updates
Yet, the Nets will still need the assets to land them. Here, they’re picking up one of those assets. By acquiring this valuable pick from the Pistons, they’ll improve their ability to land that star player. Should the Pistons put them in that position?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
This pick projects to be valuable. The Pistons will have other plans. That’s part of the benefit here. The Pistons are giving themselves a (relatively short) deadline to get their house in order.
This deal could help them do it. Finney-Smith is among the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. This is the type of player that the Pistons need. Finney-Smith will space the floor for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, and he’ll help improve Detroit’s ghastly defense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons Updates
O’Neale does the same – only, to a lesser extent. Still, Detroit is picking up two quality 3-and-Ds in this deal. That should make them a better team. Whether that’s what the Pistons ought to do or not is a matter of debate.
