Inside The Nets

Insider expects the Miami Heat to make calls about the trade availability of Royce O'Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith

Title-contending Miami could be in a position to inquire about the trade availabilities of DFS and Royce.

Peter Sunjic

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It appears that another team could be on the move in hopes of acquiring either Dorian Finney-Smith or Royce O'Neale.

William Guillory of The Athletic speculates that the Miami Heat will keep in touch with the Brooklyn Nets about the prospect of orchestrating a trade that involves the two veterans.

“Along with everyone else in playoff contention, I’m sure they’ll be putting in phone calls to Brooklyn for guys like Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale,” per Guillory.

Two of the Nets’ important units and trade assets this season

As it is, both Finney-Smith and O'Neale are standing as two of the most sought-after units around the Nets this season.

DFS, 30, is truly coveted around the league as a top-rated role player who possesses strong traits for an ideal 3-and-D wing. He is averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 boards this season while shooting 37.8 percent from the three-point line.

The same goes for Royce, who has been a reliable forward of his own. For 42 games, he has averaged 7.1 points, 4.6 boards, and 3.0 assists and is draining 35.6 percent of his outside shots. One significant aspect that makes him up for grabs in the market is his expiring contract this season worth $9.5M.

The ball is in the possession of Brooklyn to pull it off or not

As the season gets deeper, versatile wings are such a hot commodity in the NBA, especially amongst the contenders. And this latest probable interest coming from Miami shouldn't be a surprise.

The Nets now have a critical choice to pick in the wake of the warm interest of many teams for both Dorian and Royce. But considering that they are experiencing challenging progress this season, the team might have no choice but to capitalize on a trade and address their certain weak spots.

With the season's trade deadline just two weeks away, expect more rumblings to come around the Nets. But for now, the ball club needs no rush as they still have plenty of days to ponder about their approach before the Feb. 8 mark.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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