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The Brooklyn Nets have three players who are considered prime trade candidates hours ahead of the deadline: Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O’Neale, and Spencer Dinwiddie.
Rival executives continue to believe a first-round pick and a rotation player is suitable for Finney-Smith – who’s owed $14.9 million next season with a $15.37 million player option for the 2025-26 season – and multiple second-round picks can be had for O’Neale, who’s entering unrestricted free agency this summer.
O’Neale has drawn trade interest from the Rockets and Cavaliers recently, league sources told HoopsHype. The Suns have also remained in the mix to land O’Neale. Nassir Little and multiple second-round picks have been dangled in trade talks for O’Neale, league sources told HoopsHype. Other teams who’ve circled the wagon on O’Neale include the Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers, Kings, and Bucks.
For the Nets to part with Finney-Smith, it would take a future first-round pick starting in 2025 or beyond that has a chance to be a potential Top 20 pick along with a rotation player, league sources told HoopsHype. The Nets are not interested in a late first-round pick nor a pick in the 2024 NBA Draft in any trade talks for Finney-Smith.
Finney-Smith has drawn significant interest on the trade market, including several playoff-caliber teams such as the Lakers, Cavaliers, Mavericks, Bucks, Thunder, Suns and Kings.
Dinwiddie has drawn interest from the Hawks and Lakers in trade talks.
Perhaps Dejounte Murray for a package involving Dinwiddie and a protected first-round pick could entice the Nets to trade for the former All-Star guard, who’s owed up to $120.1 million over the next four years. However, it’s worth noting the Hawks have entered the week seeking two first-round picks in exchange for Murray, and he also has a 15 percent trade kicker in his contract.
In addition, despite some reported speculation, the Nets haven’t had substantive conversations with the Lakers and Hawks about joining as a third team to take on Russell’s contract, HoopsHype has learned.
Dinwiddie, a Los Angeles, California native who’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, grew up a huge Kobe Bryant and Lakers fan.
As HoopsHype reported, Dinwiddie is unlikely to be a long-term piece beyond this season, league sources said. Should he remain with the Nets past the deadline, he’s not taking a buyout, as he publicly tweeted.
