As quickly because the Nets traded Mikal Bridges, the traditional knowledge was that Dorian Finney-Smith would not be far behind.
However rumors apart, Finney-Smith — together with fellow veterans Cam Johnson and Dennis Schroder — is again in Brooklyn for coaching camp.
The trio of veterans are serving to new coach Jordi Fernandez attempt to construct some form of wholesome tradition and exceed expectations they frankly discover insulting.
“Me, Dennis Schroder, we had been speaking and we simply need everybody to know that we’re not counting on the tank or something,” Finney-Smith stated Wednesday. “They are saying we’re going to win 17 video games. I really feel like this workforce ought to take that as a scarcity of respect and use it as motivation.
“Individuals do not understand how wholesome Ben is [Simmons] going to be. However we have been seeing him for 4 weeks and he seems to be nice. So if my brother comes again on the court docket, I really feel like it should assist our workforce quite a bit and we’ll shake up the NBA.
Shaking up the NBA could possibly be a tall order, particularly after knocking Bridges off final 12 months’s 32-50 workforce. And bettors have the Nets shifting backwards, going from a projected league low of 19.5 wins to now 18.5 on FanDuel.
The Nets are utilizing them as motivation — though Finney-Smith admitted he hasn’t learn them himself as a result of he is weaning himself off social media.
“Effectively, truly, I haven’t seen it. That’s precisely what I heard,” Finney-Smith admitted. “I am unable to be on social media a lot as a result of I am attempting to get my youngsters to get off social media, so I am attempting to steer by instance. I actually have not seen it, so I am simply going by what the fellows within the locker room are saying.
The Nets rejected a proposal of two first-round picks for Finney-Smith in 2023, however their pivot to a rebuild is why shifting veterans appears logical.
Finney-Smith would possibly even be the almost definitely to go away, if solely as a result of he appears prone to decline his $15.4 million participant choice for 2025-26, which means he might go away in as an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer time except he’s traded first.
These had been frank and open conversations that Finney-Smith and Johnson had, with Fernandez and basic supervisor Sean Marks.
“No. The very first thing is I ask them how they really feel and in the event that they want something from me, if they’ve any questions. We might be clear and clear,” Fernandez stated. “I feel Sean has been very clear and clear. I really like having them round. They’re nice veterans they usually can assist us construct that basis right here. [only] management the controllables, like them.
“If something adjustments, we will definitely be upfront and allow them to know. I requested them if they’d any questions. They stated no. Our doorways – mine, Sean’s, everybody else’s within the group – are open. We’ve a transparent imaginative and prescient. The reply they gave me was that they’d no questions at the moment. So after two practices, I am very blissful to see how onerous they educated for themselves and for the workforce.
Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 factors and 4.7 rebounds in 68 video games final season, together with 56 begins.
Whereas Johnson seems caught at a ahead place – no less than till newly acquired veteran Bojan Bogdanovic is wholesome sufficient to compete with him – Finney-Smith might compete with second-year professional Noah Clowney at ‘different.
“Noah, he’s higher, man. He’s getting actually good,” Finney-Smith stated. “He’s getting actually good. The sport slows down for him. This tends to occur in your second 12 months after experiencing a bump. He shoots much more and with much more confidence. So, as soon as once more, he will have a terrific 12 months. He will get higher all summer time.
