The re-tooled Brooklyn Nets hit a major speedbump early in their 2020-21 NBA campaign when shooting guard Spencer Dinwiddie’s MRI revealed an ACL injury. Although the tear was deemed partial, the 27-year-old is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Dinwiddie emerged as the top scorer for the overachieving Nets squad last season with a career-high 20.6 points per game. Although he certainly had to accept a reduced role with the return of superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the 6-foot-5 guard was still an important part of coach Steve Nash’s rotation.
Dinwiddie averaged 6.7 points on just 37.5 percent shooting from the floor and 28.6 percent from deep in three games before his unfortunate injury.
The Nets could certainly use another spark who can fill the void left by Dinwiddie. Considering the rumored James Harden trade probably won’t get done anytime soon, the Nets should look elsewhere for more attainable options.
Dinwiddie has been the subject of trade rumors as of late, but it remains to be seen how his injury would affect his marketability. But here are the three best trade targets for the Nets in the wake of Dinwiddie's season-ending injury.
Lou Williams from the Los Angeles Clippers
Dinwiddie looked like the odd man out for Nets early in the season, with Nash going with Caris LeVert as the third option behind Kyrie and KD. LeVert will likely move into the starting lineup with Dinwiddie out, and the Nets need another proven scorer who could lead the second unit.
As far as getting instant offense from the bench goes, Williams is still one of the best guys out there. The three-time Sixth Man of The Year winner is reportedly available on the market, with the Clippers looking to shake things up in their mediocre backcourt.
Sweet Lou, now 34, looks to get even better with age, notching 18.2 points per game for the Clippers last year. His leadership will be vital for the Nets’ youth-laden reserves, especially when Durant and Irving take a breather.
Plus, KD is already a big fan of Lou Will so he’ll certainly be thrilled to have him on board.
Williams has a year and $8 million remaining in his contract, so it shouldn’t be hard to pry him away. A swap for Dinwiddie along with fillers Mfiondu Kabengele and Terrence Mann could do the trick salary-wise, but his health situation may throw a wrench on those plans. The Nets brass might have to get a third team to make this possible.
Derrick Rose from the Detroit Pistons
Most pundits still believe that Rose won’t finish this season in a Pistons jersey. The former MVP is a hot commodity among contenders this season and the Nets must strike fast in order to avail his services.
D-Rose already relishes his role as a sparkplug off the bench, so he’ll have no qualms backing up Irving at point guard. The 32-year-old still possesses great agility after his string of injuries and has improved his playmaking and outside shooting.
Rose put up 18.1 points per outing for Motown last campaign and has put up double-digit numbers in his first three games this season. His fast-paced style could bode well under Nash’s up-tempo system and give them an additional threat who can create his own shots.
The Nets, however, might have to give up Taurean Prince as well as future draft picks for the Pistons to bite. The Nets could also ask for Rodney McGruder to match the salaries.
Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox from the New York Knicks
A Dinwiddie trade to the Knicks for underachieving youngsters Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox has been floating around for some time now. At first glance, it doesn’t make sense for the Big Apple to acquire an injured player who can be out until next season.
Then again, the Knicks can actually afford to wait for Dinwiddie’s recovery considering they still have guys like Frank Ntilikina and Immanuel Quickley who can flourish with the extended minutes if DSJ gets shipped.
Plus, Spencer Dinwiddie has already proven to be a terrific scorer when healthy, something that the Knicks sorely lacks at the moment.
The Nets, on the other hand, would get younger with the addition of Smith and Knox to their second unit. DSJ has underwhelmed in his career so far, although the athletic gifts are clearly there. Maybe he can realize his potential under the guidance of a Hall of Fame guard like Nash. The same goes for Knox, who has yet to play with a superstar caliber player like Durant. They play the same position and Knox can clearly learn from arguably one of the best to ever do it just by shadowing the former MVP.
While the salaries match, both teams might have to trade future assets for this deal to push through.
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