With most of the top players in NBA Free Agency gone, many teams have their roster set for next year. At the same time, some teams are still looking to fill certain gaps on their roster and have shifted toward the trade market. The Brooklyn Nets already traded away Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks which signaled their direction to start a rebuild. The Nets have other players they would like to trade in Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson. Both players should have an interest in the league however, it could be difficult to trade with the new CBA.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers have recently popped up in the trade rumors having interest in the pair of forwards from the Nets. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the 76ers have had “exploratory interest” in trading for Finney-Smith. However, he mentioned that nothing is imminent at this moment. ESPN’s Zach Lowe stated that the Cavaliers are looking for a three-and-D wing and they could be interested in either Johnson or Finney-Smith.
NBA Trade Rumors: Cavaliers and 76ers Eyeing Two Nets Forwards
Cleveland Cavaliers
Entering this offseason there were rumors that Cleveland could lose Donovan Mitchell. However, that was not the case as they have agreed to an extension of three years for $150.3 Million. With that extension, the Cavs will look to build a roster around Mitchell to compete in the East. The Cavs were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. They know they have to get better to compete with the Celtics. One of those areas is adding perimeter defenders to be able to guard the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
The only real point-of-attack defender the Cavs have is Isaac Okoro and adding a player like Finney-Smith or Johnson will give them another one. Cam Johnson isn’t the defender that Finney-Smith is but if they land Johnson, he would bring more of an offensive game than Finney-Smith. The Cavs have the salary to be able to match the salary of both Johnson and Finney-Smith in a possible trade. It just depends on whether the Cavs want more defensive help or offensive help. As Finney-Smith would give the Cavs another perimeter defender. Whereas Johnson doesn’t give you the impact on defense but adds a wing scorer for the Cavs to help take the load off of Mitchell. It will be interesting to see if the Cavaliers can make these trade rumors happen as both players will improve their team.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers on the other hand will have a harder time trying to acquire Finney-Smith with the new CBA. The 76ers coming into the offseason had a ton of cap space. However, the signing of Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. As well as adding Andre Drummond and bringing back Kelly Oubre Jr. They will be pushing the first or even second apron, which means trading for players will be very difficult.
The 76ers are trying to maximize this four-year window they have entered by acquiring George to get a ring. The teams at the top of the East are the Knicks and the Celtics. To get past them you are going to need multiple versatile wing defenders. If the 76ers could add the likes of Finney-Smith, it would allow them to not count too much on the two-way ability of George. With George being 34 years old asking him to be the elite two-way player he once was isn’t the best bet anymore. Finney-Smith will allow George to not have to use so much energy on the defensive end, to where he can focus on being one of the go-to scorers. With the CBA it will be hard for the 76ers to pull off this trade rumor however, if anyone can pull it off it’s Daryl Morey.
