Trade Proposal Sends Nets Forwards Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith To Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been linked to Brooklyn Nets forwards Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith this offseason, so of course an NBA trade proposal was created between the Cavaliers and Nets. 

On Fanspo, the following mock trade was constructed:

Nets receive: Darius Garland, Emoni Bates

Cavaliers receive: Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2028 second-round pick

Johnson averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks for the Nets last season while shooting 44.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.6 million next season.

Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Nets in 2023-24 while shooting 42.1% from the field, 34.8% from beyond the arc and 71.7% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $14.9 million in 2024-25. 

Johnson has career averages of 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Phoenix Suns and Nets. An NBA exec believes the Nets will eventually trade the UNC product. 

“You don’t get the sense they’re knocking down doors to move him,” one NBA executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. “I think they’ll get to that point, either in the next few weeks or before the (trade) deadline. He does a lot of good things for you, he can shoot, pretty good defender, good guy to have in the locker room. The contract is not bad, either. So, there will be a market for him if they get that ball rolling.”

Finney-Smith has career averages of 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Dallas Mavericks and Nets.

Brooklyn is in rebuild mode after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. 

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Nets missed the postseason. 

Garland averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.1 blocks last season for the Cavaliers in 57 games while shooting 44.6% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 83.4% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $36.7 million next season.