It’s rumour season in the NBA. The trade deadline is rapidly approaching. As a result, people are talking. We’re hearing plenty of chatter about which teams are interested in making upgrades.
With that said, upgrades won’t be cheap. They never are. On the other hand, it’s expected to be a buyer’s market. A team with limited assets may be able to upgrade their roster in a way that they typically couldn’t. The cost of quality players may be lower than it’s been in recent years.
Could the Los Angeles Clippers take advantage? This team is light on assets. Yet, it’s rumored that they’re interested in Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets. Do the Clippers have enough to land him?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets receive: F P.J. Tucker, 2030 First-Round Pick (LAC)
Los Angeles Clippers receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith
Leading up to the deadline, the league will be divided into buyers and sellers. Most teams will have obvious intentions. With that said, there will be some teams who don’t have a clear path forward. We’re not sure whether they should be buyers or sellers.
Look at the Nets. This team has been mediocre in 2023-24. At the same time, they owe their next first-round pick to the Houston Rockets. The Nets have no incentive to lose. On the other hand, collecting assets is always justifiable. The Nets could sell because they’re distinctly more than one piece away from title contention.
By contrast, the Clippers could contend as constructed. They’re also woefully short on assets. This team could justify standing pat. Should they give up a valuable pick for Finney-Smith?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
The Clippers have one of the best rosters in the NBA on paper. This team’s major concerns all pertain to health. The Clippers are injury-prone. One bad break could put this team back towards the middle of the standings.
Finney-Smith offers some insurance. His presence would allow the Clippers to rest Kawhi Leonard or Paul George when necessary. With that said, they’re not landing him as an insurance policy. The Clippers have a need for Finney-Smith even at full strength.
After all, this team gave up all of their large 3-and-D wings when acquiring James Harden. Finney-Smith would be a vital addition to this team’s roster. The Clippers are so close to winning an NBA title that it’s worth the cost of moving their last moveable first-round pick in exchange for Finney-Smith. Should the Nets part with this useful player?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
The Clippers could use a 3-and-D wing. By contrast, the Nets have plenty of them. Between Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Royce O’Neale, the Nets can spare Finney-Smith even from a win-now perspective.
That’s also not the perspective that the Nets should have. This team is far outside of the title picture in 2023-24. Perhaps they’ll send the Rockets a lottery pick this summer if they’re sellers at the deadline. That’s fine. The Nets can use the picks they acquire this year to make a trade this summer. In doing so, they can ensure that they aren’t sending the Rockets lottery picks through to 2027.
After all, that’s how long the Rockets control the Nets’ draft. This team needs to make a long-term plan. Acquiring a highly valuable distant first from an aging, injury-prone Clippers team could help them make that plan. In time, this deal can help the Nets put themselves on the buyer’s side of trade rumors.
