3 roles the Brooklyn Nets need to fill ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline

3 roles Nets need to fill ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline

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Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2: A spot-up shooter

Brooklyn needs a shot-up shooter, especially without Durant, and the issue could continue to worsen if Harris’ return date continues to get pushed back. Harris signed a four-year, $75 million contract with the Nets in November 2020 because of his ability to be an effective spot-up shooter, but he’s been sidelined since Nov. 14.

Harris and Patty Mills represent Brooklyn as the top spot-up shooters in the league. In the 14 games that Harris played in before injuring his ankle, he averaged 4.7 points per game as a spot-up shooter. Mills, on the other hand, is averaging 5.3 points as a spot-up in the 47 games that he’s played in.

Mills has filled a bigger offensive role than was initially expected of him but the Nets still need something more, which could come from a trade with a Western Conference opponent.

Realistically, the Nets could go after Dallas’ Dorian Finney-Smith. Per 4.9 possessions a game, he’s averaging 5.3 points and shooting 48.5% as a spot-up shooter. Finney-Smith has been eligible for a four-year contract extension with the Mavericks but didn’t sign one before the Oct. 18 deadline.

The 28-year-old is owed $4 million this year and Brooklyn can afford that.