The Los Angeles Lakers have had their sights set on numerous players since the offseason. Now, at 10-7 and coming off of their first loss in Emirates NBA Cup action, the team’s needs are glaring. One insider reported they’re looking at wings on the trade market, namely a defensive stopper from the Eastern Conference.
Lakers Rumors: LA in “Constant Contact” About Nets Forward
Lakers Still Connected to Dorian Finney-Smith
According to ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin, the Lakers have been eyeing Nets wing Dorian Finney-Smith. In a recent episode of Lakers Lounge, which featured Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the issue of perimeter defense came up. Fischer noted how the Lakers were 27th in defensive rating at the time of recording, which is when Irwin brought up the Finney-Smith rumors.
“On that front [perimeter defense], I know that the Lakers checked in on Dorian Finney-Smith last year, and they’ve been in constant contact with Brooklyn about him.”
He also noted that sharpshooter Cam Johnson is another option, but added, “His asking price is, I think, kind of tough for the Lakers to match.”
In 14 games this season, Finney-Smith is averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists on .466/.410/.611 splits. He’s in his ninth season in the NBA, having gone undrafted in 2016 before spending nearly seven seasons with the Mavericks and the last three with the Nets.
How DFS Could Help the Lakers
Finney-Smith has made a name for himself as a solid offensive player, though his bread and butter is on the defensive end of the floor. He has averaged 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks per game this season, and 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks for his career. At 6’7” and 220 pounds, Finney-Smith has become a versatile ball stopper in the frontcourt. According to BBall-Index, DFS has taken on the challenge of guarding opposing fours and fives for much of this season.
Dorian Finney-Smith has guarded Centers and Power Forwards most often this season pic.twitter.com/xlQt8JXYlB
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) November 22, 2024
Having that switchability is crucial for the Lakers, who need to relieve defensive pressure from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Helping LA’s frontcourt defense is even more vital considering the prolonged absence of forward Jarred Vanderbilt.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie brought Finney-Smith up in an interview with Jovan Buha last week. He wanted the Lakers to find “as many minutes as humanly possible” for a group of James, Davis, Dalton Knecht and Austin Reaves while acquiring a defensive-minded player via trade:
“If I was the Lakers front office, I would be going out on the trade market to try to find my defensive answer. Try to find my high-level perimeter defender who I can also trust to knock down shots within the scope of this offense.
“And they have the picks to do it, they have the contracts to be able to do it. It shouldn’t be an issue for them, given what’s gonna be out on the marketplace. My favorite name is Dorian Finney-Smith for them. That just makes an immense amount of sense to me.”
Finney-Smith has proven his worth as a reliable 3-and-D starter in any situation, particularly as an option on a legitimate playoff contender. The fact that he’s making $14.9 million this season (with a $15.3M player option for next year) and is stuck on a rebuilding Nets team should entice the Lakers to make a move. If they’re not finding success in getting centers via trade, they should move on to wings and get someone who would fit in seamlessly. Finney-Smith, by several accounts, could be that guy.
