The Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets are moving in opposite directions right now. The Nets, who just traded Mikal Bridges for a bunch of draft picks, are starting from scratch and rebuilding from the ground up. The Rockets, meanwhile, are developing a potential playoff team and hope to get back there this season.
Although Houston recently returned its draft pick to Brooklyn after the Nets lost it in the James Harden trade, these two teams may not be done trading with each other. Both organizations have players who could be valuable given each team’s current situation.
The Rockets are counting on a young scorer in Cam Whitmore, who played just 18.7 minutes per game last season. Given Houston’s playoff hopes, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka could cut down on Whitmore’s rotation and opportunities. That could be a case of Whitmore wanting to leave or Houston simply looking to get better value for the 2023 first-round pick.
On the Brooklyn side, Dorian Finney-Smith has been the subject of rumors and speculation since Bridges was traded in June. Even at 31, he has proven that he can be a valuable defender, being able to defend from one to five points, while also being effective in his offensive role.
With the Rockets looking to improve their shooting to address their offensive struggles, and the Nets open to adding another young player to their rebuild, these two teams would once again be perfect trade partners.
In a deal that pushes each team further in their desired direction, the Nets get one of the league’s hidden gems in Whitmore. The former Villanova Wildcat averaged 12.3 points and shot 45.4 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range in his rookie season. Given his ability to score at a high volume, Whitmore would undoubtedly be one of Cam Thomas’ key pieces in Brooklyn’s rebuild.
On the other hand, Houston gets one of the best 3&D players in the league in Finney-Smith, and immediately improves their defense and shooting. As mentioned earlier, Finney-Smith can play any offensive role while also being able to defend one through five, meaning Udoka can put him at any wing position.
The only downside for the Nets would be that they have to give up a first-round pick, given the opposite ages of Whitmore and Finney-Smith. However, the Rockets are taking a risk by giving up their 20-year-old first-round pick, so it evens out.
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