According to an NBA insider, this year’s trade deadline should have more buyers than sellers. That makes sense. Teams around the league were tanking for Victor Wembanyama for years. Most teams are trying to compete now that he’s in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers are no exception. They were never in the mix for Wembanyama. The Lakers didn’t need to tank for a generational prospect – they’ve got a generational player in LeBron James.
By contrast, there is no generational player on the Brooklyn Nets. Perhaps that’s why this team is floundering. The Nets appear trapped in the middle of the NBA’s standings.
Could they send Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Brooklyn Nets’ Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G Gabe Vincent, 2029 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith, F Royce O’Neale
It might be a quiet deadline this year. The lack of league-wide tanking is only one explanation for that fact. The league’s trade market has also shifted in a significant way.
Most of the league’s contenders are out of assets. When there aren’t any spenders, the market punishes sellers. Who’s going to buy? Meanwhile, these trends could benefit the Lakers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
After all, they’re a bit light on assets. Yet, they’ve been linked to targets like Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray anyway. In this economy, the Lakers may be able to make competitive offers for low-end stars.
Should they trade for Finney-Smith instead?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
The Lakers aren’t strictly trading for Finney-Smith here. O’Neale is not a mere throw-in. Perhaps that’s why it’s heavily rumored that the Lakers are interested in both.
Why shouldn’t they be? We’re talking about a pair of strong 3-and-D wings. Finney-Smith has the size and foot speed to guard across positions. Meanwhile, O’Neale adds some solid connective passing in addition to his 3-and-D skillset.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, Hachimura is still too prone to midrange shooting. Vincent has been hurt for most of the year. This should be a major win-now upgrade for the Lakers.
Should Brooklyn accept this price for their two wings?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
It’s a buyer’s market. Neither Finney-Smith nor O’Neale is a star player – they can’t create from scratch offense. This might be the market value of the pair combined.
It’s not so bad for Brooklyn. This team has a surplus of 3-and-D wings. Hachimura isn’t a star either, but he can create his own shot better than either of the players that Brooklyn is losing – even if he’s generally less impactful than Finney-Smith (and possibly O’Neale).
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, the Nets would surely prefer lighter protections on this pick. Still, the Lakers are rarely in the lottery – this organization has a way of attracting star talent. Don’t be surprised if they’ve traded for another star by 2029 – depending on the market, of course.
