‘Blockbuster’ Trade Proposal Sends Nets’ Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith To 76ers

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Sixers and Nets:

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Mikal Bridges, F Dorian Finney-Smith

Brooklyn Nets Receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), 2026 first-round pick (least/less favorable of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets or Los Angeles Clippers), 2030 first-round pick, 2027 and 2028 second-round picks

The Sixers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, while the Nets missed the postseason. 

Bridges, who was drafted by the Sixers in the 2018 NBA Draft but traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night, averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Nets this season while shooting 43.6% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 81.4% from the free-throw line. 

Meanwhile, Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 42.1% overall, 34.8% from 3 and 71.7% from the foul line. 

Bridges will make $23.3 million next season, while Finney-Smith will make $14.9 million. 

“Getting Bridges to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey should be at the top of Daryl Morey’s wish list,” Swartz wrote. “Bridges, 27, is the most durable player in basketball and averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his 82 games this season. His high-level defense and three-point shooting make him the ideal starting small forward between the Sixers’ stars.

“Landing Finney-Smith to be the team’s starting power forward would be icing on the cake. The 31-year-old is a versatile defender who can space the floor and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact on games.”

Bridges has career averages of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists with the Suns and Nets. He turns 28 in August. 

Meanwhile, Finney-Smith has career averages of 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists with the Dallas Mavericks and Nets. He turned 31 on May 4. 

The Sixers have never advanced past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era. The franchise is under pressure to surround the one-time MVP and Maxey with more talent.