The Grizzlies are engaged in trade talks with the Nets that could send Dorian Finney-Smith to Memphis, sources tell Marc Stein (Twitter link).
Stein refers to the negotiations as “active discussions” and adds that the proposed deal is one he outlined in his recent column, with John Konchar and Luke Kennard going to Brooklyn in return. Konchar is making $6.165MM in the first season of a three-year contract and Kennard is on a one-year deal worth $9.25MM, so their salaries are a good match for Finney-Smith, who is earning $14.9MM this season and has a $15.4MM player option for 2025/26.
However, Stein points out that Kennard would lose his Bird Rights if he approves the deal, which might limit his earnings when he becomes a free agent this summer. He can’t be traded without his consent, and he may be reluctant to join a rebuilding team in Brooklyn.
The Nets are asking for Memphis to include a first-round pick in the deal, Stein adds (Twitter link), while the Grizzlies reportedly want a second-round selection in return.
NetsDaily passes along similar information, stating that the first-round pick might come in 2026 and adding that “protections are a concern” in finalizing the trade (Twitter link). Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype (Twitter link) notes that 2026 is one of the few upcoming years when Brooklyn doesn’t already have an extra first-round pick and suggests that Memphis’ selection could be especially valuable due to swap rights if the Suns are coming off a bad season.
Finney-Smith, 31, could provide a veteran three-and-D wing for the Grizzlies, who are second in the West at 22-10 and appear capable of making a long playoff run. He’s averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 20 games this season while shooting 45.9% from the floor and 43.5% from beyond the arc.