The Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies were reportedly close to agreeing on a trade for Dorian Finney-Smith before the Los Angeles Lakers swooped in to ensure they landed the 3-and-D forward instead of a West rival.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto has revealed Memphis’s final package for Finney-Smith included a lottery-protected 2025 first-round pick, but with the Grizz wanting second-round competition in return.
“Before the Brooklyn Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies offered a top-15 protected 2025 first-round pick, Luke Kennard and John Konchar to the Nets for Finney-Smith and second-round considerations, league sources told.”
The Grizz wanted to protect their pick and wanted the Nets 2025 second-round pick, which is guaranteed to be one of the best second-round picks if the Nets continue to tank this season.
Given how the standings are right now, the Grizzlies’ first-round pick will likely be in the late 20s and the Nets’ second-round pick would be in the early 30s, so there was not much value for Brooklyn in this deal even though it was technically a ‘first-round’ pick on offer.
In addition, John Konchar is under contract till 2027 and Luke Kennard has a one-year deal with a no-trade clause, so it could become problematic for the Nets to complete this trade.
The Lakers offer was far more direct and easier to accept, as they received D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract which boosts the Nets cap space next summer to almost $60 million. The three second-round picks the Lakers have offered won’t pay off immediately because two of those picks convey in 2030 and 2031 respectively, but they also get the Lakers 2025 second-round pick.
The Lakers did the right thing by pouncing on the Finney-Smith acquisition, as they’ve greatly improved their roster and ensured that a rival franchise like the Grizzlies has to stay static. Given the potential Ja Morant injury issues resurfacing in Memphis, it might be better for them to wait and see the long-term status of their point guard.
Given the heavy protections Memphis was adding on the offered first-round pick while also expecting a strong second-round pick in return, their offer doesn’t look nice at all. At least D’Angelo Russell is a former All-Star for the Nets, with neither Luke Kennard nor John Konchar being on his level as a player.
There’ll be fun basketball on offer for Brooklyn fans who will see Cam Thomas and D’Lo form a high-scoring backcourt pairing even if it won’t lead to many wins. Russell being on an expiring contract likely helped the Nets make this decision as well, with them not being obligated to keep Russell on the franchise beyond this season if they don’t want to.
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