Appearing on his Wine and Gold Talk podcast alongside co-host Ethan Sands, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com examined fake trade proposals from listeners, with one centered on the Cavaliers acquiring Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Fedor thinks that scenario is plausible, as NetsDaily.com relays.
“Dorian Finney-Smith is somebody that I do believe that the Cavs have interest in,” Fedor said. “He is somebody who can play the three and the four, he can shoot well enough from the outside spacing the floor.”
As Fedor explains, the Cavs haven’t shown any interest in discussing any of their core four players (Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen), but if the Nets make Finney-Smith available, he’d be the type of player Cleveland would covet and possibly have a chance to acquire, since his price tag probably wouldn’t be “exorbitant.” There have been reports in the past saying the Nets wanted two first-round picks for Finney-Smith, but that could mean a lot of things.
Cleveland tried to trade for fellow Nets forward Royce O’Neale last season, Fedor added, but obviously Brooklyn wasn’t interested.
As for what might be sent Brooklyn’s way, a source tells Fedor that “the Nets have shown interest in Dean Wade in the past.” Fedor also strongly suggested the Cavs wouldn’t be opposed to moving Wade, which is logical — if none of the core players are sent out, Wade is one of the only two-for-one salary-matching pieces (he makes $5.7MM) that makes sense, though the Cavs would have to add more salary to acquire Finney-Smith ($13.9MM).
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Cavaliers were interested in a sign-and-trade for P.J. Washington in the offseason, but the Hornets weren’t interested in what Cleveland had to offer and Fedor thinks that is likely still the case. However, Fedor expects Cleveland to check-in on Washington’s availability again prior to the trade deadline.
- Elsewhere in the podcast, Fedor said the Cavaliers would consider moving former lottery pick Isaac Okoro in the right deal. Okoro will be a restricted free agent in the summer after he was unable to come to terms on a rookie scale extension with Cleveland. Wade and Okoro ($8.9MM), for example, could work as a framework for Finney-Smith or Washington, though it remains to be seen if Brooklyn or Charlotte would be intrigued by that.
- Rival teams remain skeptical the Bulls will be able to move Zach LaVine this season, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who says Chicago is focused on players who can help the team be competitive now instead of a rebuild. LaVine’s long-term contract (four years, $180MM) is a key obstacle in talks, Fischer adds.
- “Several teams” are interested in Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, including the Kings, Pacers, Pistons and Mavericks, all of whom have been described as “active buyers,” Fischer reports. The Warriors have also had internal discussions about Siakam. However, Siakam’s camp believes he’ll be able to sign a long-term maximum-salary contract in free agency, and the two-time All-NBA forward doesn’t appear to have interest in a short-term extension if he’s traded, according to Fischer, who points out that Indiana, Detroit and the Sixers all project to have cap room in 2024 and could sign Siakam outright, perhaps lowering the odds that one of those teams will give up significant assets to acquire him ahead of the trade deadline. That’s why some rivals think Toronto might end up keeping Siakam and possibly extending him instead of losing him for nothing in free agency, Fischer explains.
Siakam is almost as bad as Masai at overvaluing himself.
Dude doesn’t want to be anywhere except Toronto (which is a horrible team right now and not going to get much better as nobody wants to go there as an FA)
The league should just blackball him. You don’t want to play anywhere and don’t want to be traded? Fine, nobody will give you a contract in FA.
Dude is an absolute clown. He’s not even a top 30 player in the NBA right now lmfao
I don’t know if it’s all loyalty to Toronto on Siakim’s part. Siakam is eligible to sign a four year extension with the Raptors worth up to $192 million. He can only sign that deal with Toronto and wouldn’t be ineligible for that extension if he’s traded. On the open market the best he could do is $184.2 over four years.
agreed lol he’s strange
What’s so strange about it? If he likes living and playing in Toronto then he should make them pay to trade him. Make them offer that max extension or do a sign and trade in the off-season. If they don’t want to sign him and lose him for nothing then sign somewhere else. It’s not like he needs to go ring chasing.
Blackball him for what? Not wanting to be traded? Didn’t know that wasn’t allowed…
I’m pretty sure Online Features is a bot or former Raptors employee.. he spouts absolute nonsense. A player who loves playing ball, in a particular city for now, deserves to NEVER play again? Wtf
He’s not worth max money, but I can see a team like Detroit giving him max money and term similar to how Houston paid FVV.
Pacers or pistons will get him if Siakam is traded. Jarace, Nesmith, Hield and a first or Bogdanovic, Wiseman, Ivey and a first.
Yeah the 3-35 pistons, 7 games away from a losing record half way thru the season, are gonna trade for a rental in Siakam. Sounds like a smart plan and definitely what a team in their position should do.
That second trade is disgusting. Wiseman is a non factor, barely in the rotation guy for the 3-35 Pistons. Why would any team want him.
Poetl is hurt yes? Every player needs the right fit yes? Wiseman couldn’t help? That’s your opinion not a fact.
I still like Okoro. Think he has big upside for 2way player. You need to give him time. I get Cavs need him now. Unfortunately this is what happens when you draft young talent.