The NBA trade winds are swirling, reshaping the playoff picture with every blockbuster deal. From the Lakers’ acquisition of versatile forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Nets’ asset accumulation and the Warriors’ point guard upgrade, the jockeying for position is fierce. Let’s dive into the X’s and O’s of the most impactful trades.
Lakers Go All-In with Finney-Smith
Desperate for an infusion of two-way talent on the wing, the Lakers pried Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and draft capital. Finney-Smith immediately becomes LA’s most versatile defender, capable of guarding multiple positions and spacing the floor as a corner 3-point threat.
The advanced metrics love this move for the Lakers:
- Finney-Smith ranks in the 85th percentile in overall defensive impact
- He’s shooting a career-high 43.5% from deep this season
- The Lakers’ defense jumps from 21st to 12th by adding Finney-Smith
In a brutal Western Conference, the Lakers needed a jolt. Finney-Smith won’t put them over the top against the likes of the Nuggets or Grizzlies, but he substantially raises their floor and gives coach JJ Redick intriguing lineup options to deploy in a playoff series.
Nets Rebuild Continues with Russell Acquisition
On the other side of the Finney-Smith trade, the Nets are leaning into asset accumulation mode. Flipping Finney-Smith for D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract and three second-round picks gives them another trade chip to accelerate their rebuild.
If the Nets can spin Russell into another future first-round pick from a point guard-needy team, they’ll consider this sequence of trades a huge success
– NBA Eastern Conference executive
It’s been a masterclass in maneuvering from Nets GM Dennis Larkin, who’s quietly retooled their barren war chest of draft picks in a matter of months. Brooklyn could have up to three first-round selections in the vaunted 2025 draft. In the interim, expect them to continue flipping short-term assets for long-term upside.
Warriors Bolster Backcourt with Schroder
Leave it to the savvy Warriors front office to find immense value on the margins. Acquiring Dennis Schroder and a 2025 second-round pick for spare parts in De’Anthony Melton and Reece Beekman was a quintessential Golden State move.
Schroder gives the Warriors a steadying hand to steer the ship when Steph Curry rests. Some key factors in the trade:
- Warriors had a bottom-5 offense with Curry on the bench
- Schroder is averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists as a starter in Brooklyn
- His 39% 3-point shooting is a career-high clip
If Schroder can maintain 75-80% of his production in a supersub role, it’s a massive upgrade over the floundering Brandin Podziemski, who’s battled a sophomore slump. The Warriors have thrived mining veteran guards late in their careers, from Shaun Livingston to Chris Paul, and Schroder appears to be next in line.
Pacers Address Glaring Frontcourt Hole
After losing both backup centers to season-ending Achilles tears, the Pacers were in dire straits up front. Acquiring Thomas Bryant from the Heat for a swap of distant second-round picks was a necessary band-aid.
Bryant may not be a defensive stalwart, but he’s an experienced rotation big who can soak up minutes behind Myles Turner and keep the Pacers afloat in the playoff race.
– NBA scout
For a Pacers team that’s hovered around .500 all season, avoiding a complete implosion was crucial. The Bryant acquisition, while far from splashy, should help steady the ship.
Ripple Effects and What’s Next
These trades will have ripple effects on the rest of the market leading up to the February trade deadline:
- With Finney-Smith off the board, demand for 3-and-D wings will be at a premium
- The Nets could flip Russell again, further injecting chaos into the point guard market
- The Warriors making a consolidation trade may embolden other West contenders to respond
Buckle up, NBA fans. With the new CBA complicating trade dynamics and a wide-open title chase, the next few weeks could shift the league’s balance of power in dramatic fashion. Every marginal upgrade matters in this year’s parity-filled playoff field.
