2 Players The Brooklyn Nets Could Trade This Season


The Brooklyn Nets completely remade their squad last season, divesting themselves of two superstars who didn't want to be there any longer, and bringing in some talented young assets. This is Mikal Bridges' team now. 

But for the Nets to take that next step, they'd like to find themselves another star player (Ben Simmons, obviously, can't be counted on in the slightest). Here are two current pieces that could go in trades.

Dorian Finney-Smith

Acquired as part of the return in the Kyrie Irving trade, Finney-Smith is now among a glut of solid wing players on the Nets. His defense on the perimeter is coveted around the league, and the Nets received a number of calls from teams about the availability of the former Dallas Maverick right after the Kyrie trade, and again after the season. 

A valuable 3-and-D player, the 30-year-old Finney-Smith posted 8.3 points and 4.8 rebounds last year. He'll make a reasonable $13.3M in 2023-24 and has a total of three seasons remaining on his deal. He will undoubtedly continue to be in demand. 

Royce O'Neal

Another from that deep list of wing players, O'Neal was brought in last summer to be a complimentary piece surrounding Durant and Irving. But with all of the other perimeter players brought in in the trades for those two, he's become expendable, despite a solid season in Brooklyn last year. He, too, has been the subject of inquiring calls to the Nets' front office. 

O'Neale, 30, is a six-year veteran and averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season. He also shot 39% from three-point range for, essentially, the third straight year. His $9.5M contract is eminently tradable and makes for a great salary filler (as well as a useful player) for the Nets to use to bring in a higher-end star.

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