Nets players try to ignore tension caused by NBA trade deadline
Royce O'Neale of the Nets reacts after a three-point basket in the second half against the Nuggets at Barclays Center on Dec. 22, 2023. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Before he left the locker room Tuesday night, Royce O’Neale went to each Nets teammate who was present and gave them a handshake at their locker.
He didn’t know what would happen between now and Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. O’Neale has been mentioned as one of the likely Nets to be dealt and earlier this week, he tried to brush off worrying about where he might end up.
“I don’t pay attention to it,” O’Neale said Monday at shootaround. “Come in and play basketball. Play video games. Take my mind off [it] with whatever I got to. Don’t fall into the distractions.”
It’s noteworthy that O’Neale had 15 and 18 points in the two games after that. But it’s still always tense the week of the deadline. The Nets, who have lost 15 of 20 games, will likely be no different whether it’s adding another playmaker in the backcourt or draft picks.
Most reports have centered around O’Neale, Dorian Finney-Smith or Spencer Dinwiddie potentially being on the move. All three, at 30 years old, are the oldest Nets with O’Neale and Dinwiddie on expiring contracts and Dinwiddie struggling as Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas have dominated the ball..
Finney-Smith’s ankle injury might complicate any potential moves but he also has two years left on his contract, including a player option in his final year.
Yet the Nets have bigger issues. For the second time this season, they’re 10 games under .500. While they’re in contention for the play-in tournament, they’re on pace for their first losing record in four years.
By rejecting multiple offers for Bridges, per reports, shows the Nets want to build around him. How that happens is the mystery, because they need another wing playmaker to take the scoring burden off Bridges. While Ben Simmons’ return has been a positive, it’s still a gamble because of his health.
Another issue with any potential deals is that the Nets are looking to avoid the repeater tax, which teams pay if they’re over the luxury tax three out of the last four seasons. Because the Nets paid it from 2020-23, they’ll pay the penalty despite being under the luxury tax this season.
If they stay under the luxury tax next season, they’ll avoid the tax. That could affect whatever moves get made or don’t get finalized.
It’s also important considering Nic Claxton is a free agent this summer and Thomas is eligible for an extension. HoopsHype reported the Nets intend to keep Claxton through the deadline with the goal of re-signing him.
So, while the Nets need to add pieces, they could most likely be sellers. That’s what makes this deadline difficult as O’Neale said his farewells just in case.
Bridges fully understands that after being dealt by the Suns last year. “No matter who tells you what or what you hear, you just never know,” Bridges said Tuesday. “I’ve been a part of it, so whatever happens. But you just never know until that deadline ends.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
