The Nets continue to struggle this season. At 16-20, they currently sit at 9th place in the Eastern Conference. Although they started better than expected, Brooklyn has floundered as of late, having lost 11 of their last 14 games. The team is in quite an interesting situation ahead of the February 8th trade deadline. The Nets do not possess their own first-round pick until 2028, so bottoming out seems off the table. At the same time, Brooklyn has potentially valuable draft picks from the teams in the coming years. Here are Nets possible trade candidates before the deadline.
Brooklyn Nets Trade Candidates Before the Deadline
Dorian Finney-Smith
Dorian Finney-Smith has been highly productive for the Nets this season. As far as role players go, Finney-Smith is precisely what you want. He plays solid defense, can guard multiple positions, and is even knocking down three-pointers at a career-high rate this season (41.1%).
Finney-Smith is on the books for $13.3 million this season and $14.3 million next year, with a player option for the 2025-26 season. His contract is not only affordable, but a potential suitor would be acquiring him for multiple seasons. Depending on the market during the deadline, Sean Marks could get a mid-level draft pick in exchange for Finney-Smith’s services. You can never have enough 3-and-D wings!
Potential Fits: Lakers, Kings, Mavericks, Suns, Bucks
Lonnie Walker IV
Lonnie Walker made his return to the court on Friday after missing an extended stretch with a hamstring injury. Walker is having one of the best starts to a season in his career. In just 18 games, Walker is averaging 13.8 points on 48% shooting from the field and 45.8% from three-point range (a career-high). He was a key contributor to the Nets’ positive start to the season.
🎯 Leagues Top 10 Snipers
These are the leagues top 10 players on Unguarded Catch & Shoot Attempts (min 30 att)
1. Jayson Tatum (93.2% eFG%)
2. Lonnie Walker (91.7%)
3. Doug McDermott (90.4%)
4. Cason Wallace (87.2%)
5. Malik Beasley (85.1%)
6. Tyrese Maxey (85.1%)
7. Anthony…— Parlay Chef (@ParlayChef) January 7, 2024
Walker is on an expiring contract at just $2.3 million for the 2023-24 season. His cheap contract could make him extremely movable and valuable on the trade market. At 6-foot-4, Walker can guard point guards and shooting guards and, in switch situations, won’t get bullied by larger wings. Walker gave the Los Angeles Lakers vital playoff minutes last season and can contribute to any contender this season.
Potential Fits: Bucks, Lakers, Knicks, Nuggets, Mavericks
Nic Claxton
Another year and another solid season for the former second-round pick Nic Claxton. Claxton has established himself as an extremely valuable rim protector. With more and more shooters being added to the floor, rim protectors are few and far between in the modern NBA. Claxton is averaging 12.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game for the season.
Although the Nets’ defense would go from bad to worse with the subtraction of Claxon, he is due for quite the pay raise in the offseason, which could make him an easy candidate for being traded. The Nets have tied big money to Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges as potential building blocks going forward.
The Brooklyn Nets still want to build around Mikal Bridges, per @wojespn
“I believe Brooklyn’s intent remains to build and add talent around Mikal Bridges.” pic.twitter.com/Ckwj7ypgAU
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 3, 2024
It is clear the Nets do not have a championship-caliber roster as currently constructed, but assets returned in a potential Claxton trade could prove to be vital in a trade for a disgruntled star down the road.
Potential Fits: Clippers, Kings, Knicks
