Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies reportedly in trade talks

On December 30, 2024By Littum

Multiple league sources tell NetsDaily that the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies are talking about a possible trade that would send Dorian Finney-Smith to Memphis for wing John Konchar, shooting guard Luke Kennard and a protected first rounder, possibly in 2026.

It is uncertain how far along the negotiations are and the level of protection remains a major issue, sources said. Konchar has three years – including this one – and $18.5 million left on his deal, while Kennard’s contract expires at $9.3 million. DFS is currently playing on a $14.9 million contract and has a $15.4 million player option next season that he is expected to decline, making him a likely free agent. Both Konchar and Kennard are 28, Finney-Smith is 31.

A source said: “They are arguing about protection but it is being done.”

Another confirmed that he had heard the same thing, but without any details. He also suggested that protection on the first round is indeed an issue, saying that the protection proposed by Memphis would make the pick “unlikely to convey.”

Additionally, because Kennard is on a one-year deal, he must approve any trade.

The DFS move would come less than a month after the Nets traded Dennis Schroder and a protected Heat second-rounder in this year’s draft to the Warriors for two point guards, DeAndre Melton, who is out for the season, and two-way point Reece Beekman, as well three unprotected seconds — two from the Hawks in 2026 and one Warriors pick in 2029,

The Nets currently have multiple first rounders in every draft through 2029 except for 2026, which, like this year’s crop, is considered top-flight. Overall, Brooklyn has 15 first rounders and 13 second rounders through 2031.

Marc Stein, who two days ago suggested the Nets and Grizzlies could be trade partners, confirmed the ND report, adding that Brooklyn would also give Memphis “draft second-round compensation”…

The Nets are known to seek a first-round draft pick from the Grizzlies in any potential deal for Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Grizzlies are expected to receive second-round compensation if a trade is successful.

More from Thursday: https://t.co/fyiISis6eW

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) 28 December 2024

Earlier Saturday, Jake Weinbach tweeted Memphis’ reasoning for the rumored trade…

The Grizzlies should 100% pursue a trade for Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith.

Memphis could offer Luke Kennard, John Konchar and either a protected first-round pick or several seconds.

Finney-Smith’s defensive versatility and 3-point shooting would be a seamless fit.

— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) 28 December 2024

Konchar, who has played his entire seven-year career with Memphis, has been hampered by a quadriceps injury and has played in just 17 games, averaging 2.8 points, as many rebounds and 1.1 assists. A solid defender, Konchar has career averages of 4.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and shooting splits of 47/36/72.

Kennard, like Konchar 6’5” and like Konchar injured most of the season, has only played six games due to a strained muscle in his foot. When healthy, he is one of the game’s best 3-point shooters, ranking third all-time at 43.9%, behind only Steve Kerr and Hubie Green. In his career, he has averaged just under 10 points a game, coming off the bench in 305 of his 410 games. Ironically, Memphis traded Ziaire Williams and the Mavs’ 2030 second-round pick to the Nets in July to free up money to sign Kennard. Both Konchar and Kennard could be traded again this season, but only the simplest of transactions, either for another player or a draft pick. Anything more complicated would be prohibited, as teams must wait 60 days to include traded players in major deals, and the trade deadline is only 39 days away. Kennard would also retain his veto rights on any subsequent trade.

The big prize would be another first rounder, assuming the reported protection issue can be fixed. As Yossi Gozlan of CapSheets.com noted after the NetsDaily report, the Grizz 2026 pick could become valuable under certain circumstances.

The Grizzlies’ 2026 first-round pick is interesting because it has a slim chance of moving up in the draft if things go all south for the Suns next season.

It’s also one of the few drafts where the Nets don’t currently own an extra first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/lGgOl1FEEo

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) 29 December 2024

DFS would provide immediate relief for the injury-plagued Grizzlies…

Although plagued by injuries himself this season and missing 11 games, DFS is shooting a career-best 43.5% from beyond the arc while averaging a near-career-high 10.3 points.

If the trade went through as reported, Brooklyn would have to cut a player. As mentioned, Melton is out for the season.

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In other Nets news, both Cams — Thomas and Johnson — are listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Magic.

Cam Thomas has missed Brooklyn’s last 13 contests with a left hamstring strain. When Thomas went down, the Nets had the league’s eighth-best offense. Since then, they are ranked 29th. Johnson missed Friday’s game against the Spurs with a right hip contusion.