Trade Proposal Sends Kevin Huerter To Nets, Dorian Finney-Smith To Kings

One NBA analyst proposed that the Sacramento Kings trade Kevin Huerter to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith.

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the following mock trade between the Kings and Nets:

Brooklyn Nets Receive: Kevin Huerter, 2028 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick

Sacramento Kings Receive: Dorian Finney-Smith

“Attaching distant second-rounders should at least warrant a call-back from the Nets on the Finney-Smith front,” Favale wrote in his NBA column. “They can hold out for first-round compensation, but it’s not guaranteed. Finney-Smith is entering the final year of his contract (2025-26 player option) and shooting just 33.7 percent on threes (154-of-457) through his first 94 games in Brooklyn.

“Huerter also shouldn’t be considered a flatlined asset. Yes, he is working off a down year by his standards, as well as left shoulder surgery, but relative to his track record, last season should be considered the exception rather than the rule. He is a career 38.2 percent shooter from distance on more than seven attempts per 36 minutes, and his marksmanship holds up across a variety of usages. Going on 26, with two years and $36.2 million left on his deal, he becomes an asset the Nets can reroute if he’s healthy and making jumpers.”

The Nets and Kings missed the playoffs in 2024.

Brooklyn already made a major move this offseason, trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.

Sacramento was busy too, acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls. 

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. 

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. 

Huerter averaged 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks for the Kings this past season while shooting 44.3% overall, 36.1% from 3 and 76.6% from the foul line. He’ll make $16.8 million next season. 

Huerter has career averages of 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Atlanta Hawks and Kings.