2. Not trading away one of Royce O'Neale or Dorian Finney-Smith
With roster construction, I typically don't like when you have two of the same exact player, and the Nets had a prime opportunity to trade away one of these guys for a first-round pick this past offseason.
Believe it or not, they are both 30 years old, so both probably want to go and try ring chasing at this point of their careers, which is funny to type, considering the Nets traded for O'Neale before last season for their championship aspirations. Oh, how things can change!
The Nets probably could've got a better net return for Finney-Smith, who provides a driving element that O'Neale doesn't showcase as much. First-round picks are a hot commodity these days, and as the Nets try to build back up to a championship-contending level, those first-rounders can become very important in a trade for a star-caliber player.
It's still possible Sean Marks attempts to trade one of these two before the trade deadline, but this was a move probably better suited to be done during this past offseason. Maybe he can get even more for Finney-Smith now, considering his elite catch-and-shoot percentage of 46.2%.
3PM leaders in catch & shoot:
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 22, 2023
Lauri Markkanen - 45 (39.5%)
Max Strus - 39 (39%)
Stephen Curry - 39 (56.5%)
Dorian Finney-Smith - 36 (46.2%)
Sam Hauser - 36 (45%)
Jordan Hawkins - 34 (36.6%)
Tim Hardaway Jr. - 33 (37.5%)
Grayson Allen - 32 (50.8%)
Grant Williams - 30 (45.5%)…