2. Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets
With so many redundancies on the roster during an underperforming season, the Brooklyn Nets are ripe for a trade. The two likeliest candidates are forwards Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Both are defensive-minded wings who can defend on the perimeter, switch in space and make open 3-pointers. Both would be plug-and-play fits in Miami.
It’s unclear what the Nets would be looking for in a deal for O’Neale, but they are reportedly seeking the value of two first-round picks in exchange for Finney-Smith.
Would the Heat be willing to include Nikola Jovic in a deal for a short-term upgrade? If so, they could get in the mix for Finney-Smith, who is an ideal frontcourt partner with Bam Adebayo.
O’Neal likely won’t cost as much and could be the compromise if Miami isn’t willing to include valuable assets. Something like Lowry’s expiring and a second-round pick could bring back Spencer Dinwiddie and O’Neale, without hampering any of Miami’s long-term flexibility (both Dinwiddie and O’Neale’s contracts expire at the end of the season).