Grading the Nets' last-minute pair of transactions in the 2024 trade deadline

Nets shipped away both Spence and Royce for significant returns

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets might not have been able to repeat their last year's splash in this season's trade deadline. They still delivered considerable swings that are impactful and worth beneficial in their ongoing campaign and future plans.

On Thursday, the Nets decided to drop two final moves before heading to the second-half portion of the 2023-24 season. As they were able to ship away two of their prominent trade pieces in Spencer Dinwiddie and Royce O'Neale, Brooklyn meanwhile received plenty of significant assets highlighted by Dennis Schröder and three future second-round selections.

As such, here is Nets Insider's assessment of these two transactions made by the team in this year's trade season.

Spence to the North

Brooklyn Nets received: Dennis Schröder, Thaddeus Young

Toronto Raptors received: Spencer Dinwiddie

Trade grade: B+

The Nets’ Dinwiddie trade is impressive. While they were able to get off of Spencer's $20 million expiring contract, they secured a ball handling guard in Dennis Schröder who is set to be paid until after next season for a total of $25 million.

The point man swap also offers a much better provision coming for Brooklyn from the scoring standpoint. While both Dinwiddie and Schröder hold identical statistics this season, the German guard is much more efficient with his 44.2 percent field goal shooting.

The Nets have sought a much steady point guard help this season, and gaining Schröder’s service is still a good one for that intent at the expense of capitalizing Spencer's expiring deal.

Royce to the Valley

Brooklyn Nets received: Keita Bates-Diop (via Suns), Jordan Goodwin (via Suns), Draft rights to Vanja Marinkovic (via Grizzlies), Three future second-round picks

Phoenix Suns received: Royce O’Neale (via Nets), David Roddy (via Grizzlies)

Memphis Grizzlies received: 2026 first-round pick swap, Chimezie Metu (via Suns), Yuta Watanabe (via Suns)

Trade grade: B+

The departure of Royce will be a tough pill to swallow considering the importance and reliability that he brought to the team in the last 1 ½ seasons. Nevertheless, the Nets were able to splendidly capitalize on his expiring $9.5 million deal by mainly acquiring draft capitals that would be useful for future use.

While they weren't able to snag a much-established rotational player, they can still walk away with their heads held high upon the completion of this deal.

Another key point of this trade for the Nets is that the Suns sustained the cost of acquiring O'Neale which makes their luxury tax penalty further balloon by $13.5 million as pinpointed by NBA cap expert Yossi Gozlan.

It might be odd that they helped them to compete by acquiring a standout 3-and-D wing in Royce, but Phoenix continues getting restricted in their salary cap, and future signings to contend gives Brooklyn a greater composure to feel confident about the massive first-round draft chest that they acquired from them in the wake of the Kevin Durant trade.

In general, the Nets gained a major benefit in accomplishing both of the trades cap-wise. Brooklyn saved over $5 million this season and around $11 million under the tax threshold. 

Brooklyn Nets lose to the Cleveland Cavalries in a blowout 95-118