NBA Trade Rumors: Grizzlies, Nets, Cam Johnson, Lakers, Wizards

December 30, 2024

After a flurry of NBA trade talks over the weekend, it seems the Grizzlies have had their sights set on bolstering their roster with Dorian Finney-Smith, but ultimately lost out to the Lakers.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that Memphis was offering a 2025 first-round pick with top-15 protection to Brooklyn for Finney-Smith, a deal that would’ve made sense for a team looking to bolster its depth.

But as Marc Stein of The Stein Line later reported, a source clarified that the protection on that pick was actually top-17, meaning the pick would have had little chance of conveying to the Nets unless Memphis finishes poorly.

Adding fuel to the fire, the New York Post’s Brian Lewis confirmed that Memphis also wanted Brooklyn’s own 2025 second-round pick in return. The discrepancy between the two picks is not significant, with Tankathon placing the Grizzlies’ first-round pick at No. 26 and the Nets’ second-rounder at No. 37.

So there’s a reasonable chance they could both land closer if Brooklyn’s struggles continue. Memphis was offering a heavy protection that likely wouldn’t have conveyed, while also offering second-round compensation — a move that wasn’t appealing to the Nets.

The Nets ultimately chose the Lakers’ offer, which didn’t include the same level of risk for Brooklyn. The Lakers’ deal brought in three future second-round picks, a notable boost to their draft arsenal, without requiring the Nets to take on any guaranteed contracts beyond the season.

The Grizzlies’ offer, on the other hand, would’ve meant absorbing John Konchar’s contract, which runs through 2026-27. This likely contributed to Brooklyn’s decision to go with Los Angeles’ less complicated offer.

Now that Memphis has missed out on Finney-Smith, sources indicate that the Grizzlies could pivot to targeting another Nets forward, Cam Johnson.

Stein reports that Memphis is expected to continue shopping Konchar and could circle back to Brooklyn to pursue Johnson, who could fit better with their roster.

The Nets, for their part, are reportedly asking for multiple first-round picks for Johnson. However, given the way deals for role players like Finney-Smith and Dennis Schroder have gone, that asking price might soften a bit as the February 6 NBA trade deadline approaches.

Los Angeles Lakers

Meanwhile, the Lakers, who were not initially expected to target Finney-Smith, have made a move with the Nets and are still exploring trade options.

According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers will continue to assess how Finney-Smith fits with their current roster before deciding whether to pull the trigger on additional moves before the deadline.

The Lakers are reportedly willing to trade one or both of their tradable first-round picks (2029 and 2031) if the right opportunity presents itself.

However, with the prices of role players like Schröder and Finney-Smith fetching second-round picks, teams looking to move players like Nikola Vucevic (Bulls) and Kyle Kuzma (Wizards) for a first-rounder could face difficulty achieving that return.

Reports also suggest that the Lakers’ trade strategy may involve further refining their backcourt depth.

While they were interested in Washington’s Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas, the deal with Brooklyn added Shake Milton and Finney-Smith to the fold, giving them solid depth for now.

As one long-time NBA talent evaluator told Stein, “I like the combo of Finney-Smith and Milton better for the Lakers than the two Washington guys.”

Others On Move?

Several other names are reportedly on the trade block ahead of the deadline. Vucevic and Kuzma are among those who could be moved for second-round picks, as the market for role players continues to shift.

Other names in play include the Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson, the Raptors’ Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown, and Valanciunas and Brogdon.