Nets wings Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith are likely the next to go as the Feb. 6 NBA Trade Deadline creeps closer.
NOAH ZIMMERMAN
noah@queensledger.com
The tank is officially on for the Brooklyn Nets, who on Saturday traded point guard Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors. Schröder averaged just over 16 points and 6 assists in 52 games for the Nets, dating back to last season’s trade deadline in February.
Following a stellar performance with Germany at the 2024 Olympics, Schröder started the new NBA season red hot. Through 23 games the guard put up his best career shooting splits at 45% from the floor, 39% from three, and 89% at the free throw line.
Unfortunately for both Schröder and the Nets, they were playing a little too well. With Brooklyn recently reunited with their own 2025 1st round draft pick, the goal was clear: drop into the draft lottery and hope to land a coveted top-3 pick. With Schröder the Nets were too good to fall into the lottery, but not quite good enough to genuinely compete.
“Missing him is difficult, but these are the decisions when your ultimate goal is long-term sustainable success,” explained Nets GM Sean Marks following the trade. “It’s never easy to see one of your own leave. But, at the same time, looking at the big picture here, this is what’s best for our organization long term.”
In the deal Brooklyn received two-way prospect Reece Beekman and a few 2nd round draft picks. The Nets also received veteran guard De’Anthony Melton, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in November. Melton’s contract is set to expire
at the end of the season. Barclays Center On Monday night Cavaliers
the Nets took the Nets floor without Dennis
Schröder for the first time, facing the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. A task that was already nearly impossible for a fully- stocked Nets roster only became more daunting, forced to take on a top defensive team without their most consistent playmaker.
With star young star Cam Thomas still out with a hamstring injury Brooklyn was without their two most consistent shot creators, relying on Ben Simmons to generate the bulk of the offense.
Leading the way for Cleveland were some familiar faces. Former Nets 1st round pick Jarrett Allen and prolific bench scorer Caris LeVert returned to the Brooklyn hardwood alongside head coach Kenny Atkinson, who oversaw pivotal years for the Nets from 2016 to 2020.
LeVert was back to his usual tricks at Barclays, coming off the bench with 19 points in the opening half. Allen wasn’t far behind with 10 points and 5 boards as the Cavs led 72-40 at the break.
After three quarters the Cavs had already broken the 100-point mark, a milestone that took Brooklyn until the very final possession of the game to reach. Even with an improvement in shot creation in the second half, Brooklyn was unable to halt the relentless Cavs offense, who had an answer for every basket. The game ended 130-101, a resounding win for the NBA’s top dogs.
The game’s leading scorer ended up being Brooklyn’s Mon. 12/16 Cam Johnson, who 130 finished with 22 101 points and 5 assists. Unfortunately as is the nature of tanking teams, Johnson is likely next on the chopping block alongside veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Nets already own more upcoming draft picks than any other team in the league and are positioned well to build their asset pool at the trade deadline in early February. Regardless, promise for the future doesn’t make the departure of fan favorites too much easier to stomach.
