We’ve had our second big trade early in the window from the Brooklyn Nets, sending Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers for D’Angelo Russell, which has kind of slowed and reset the market. But neither the Nets or Lakers are done dealing. Probably.
Which Net gets traded next?
Brooklyn has moved on from veterans Dennis Schroeder and Dorian Finney-Smith in the past few weeks, but do not think they are done dealing. The sale in Brooklyn will continue into the new year, and we know what they want in return — the Nets have stockpiled 31 picks in the next seven drafts (15 first-rounders, 16 seconds) and want more. Here are the two Brooklyn players most likely to be on the move.
• Cameron Johnson. Maybe the best player the Nets might trade, an athletic forward averaging 19.1 points and 4.3 rebounds a game, shooting 42.9% from 3 and a solid defender. He’s also on a reasonable contract, making $22.5 million this season and $43 million total over the following two.
The Nets say they want multiple first-round picks in a trade for Johnson, although that may come down to one first-rounder (but unlike DFS, seconds are not going to cut it here).
• Malcolm Brogdan. The veteran guard could add depth to the backcourt of a playoff team, he’s averaging 14.2 points a game this season and shooting 35% on 3-pointers. The price will be second-round picks, plus matching salary (he is making $22.5 million on an expiring deal).
Lakers are not done trading. Maybe.
Dorian Finney-Smith has long been a target of Lakers’ GM Rob Pelinka and should plug right into the starting lineup in Los Angeles (although expect him to come off the bench the first few games). Picking up a 3&D wing was one of the Lakers’ goals heading into the trade deadline, and they did it with a good trade for them (is losing D’Angelo Russell addition by subtraction?).
The Lakers are not done — they still want a big man to go next to Anthony Davis — but reportedly will be patient for a few weeks and let the dust settle before making another move. The Lakers want to see what they’ve got. With Finney-Smith in the mix and hopefully Jarred Vanderbilt returning soon from injury, the Lakers should have an improved defense (they need it) and depth.
That said, Jonas Valanciunas is still out there as a five who can space the floor and can be gotten without giving up a first (according to reports). But the Lakers may also wait and see about Walker Kessler (a higher price than Valanciunas but younger) and Robert Williams III (health concerns).
Teams holding on to first-round picks
There have been two trades since this window unofficially opened on Dec. 15, Schroder and Fine-Smith, and both went for second-round picks. In the luxury tax apron era, teams are hesitant to give up those first-rounders.
Which had Marc Stein listing off potential other players who could be moved for second-round picks at this deadline: Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic; Washington’s Kyle Kuzma, Valanciunas and Brogdon; Toronto’s Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown; and Utah’s Jordan Clarkson.
Lonnie Walker IV drawing interest
Lonnie Walker IV isn’t going to get traded at the deadline — he’s playing for Lithuania-based Žalgiris in the EuroLeague — but he’s got an NBA buyout in his contract that NBA teams are considering, Stein reports.
Possible suitors include the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, according to the report. Walker had been in training camp with the Celtics, not likely to make that roster but showcasing himself for other teams, but when that didn’t materialize he chose Europe over the G-League. Walker has been standing out in Lithuania, averaging 14.7 points a game.
Jonas Valanciunas shrugging off trade rumors
Jonas Valanciunas’ name has been in the midst of trade rumors almost from the day he signed with Washington this offseason — around the league the thought was the Wizards signed him to trade him at the deadline. He has been linked to every team interested in a center, from New York to Los Angeles.
How is he dealing with that? Here’s what he told Stephan Bondy of the New York Post:
“What can happen in the future, maybe tomorrow, maybe even today, I don’t know,” Valanciunas said about the possibility of being dealt. “If it happens, it happens.”
That’s a vet talking right there.