{"id":109390,"date":"2024-11-27T10:35:42","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T15:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=109390"},"modified":"2024-11-27T10:35:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-27T15:35:42","slug":"lakers-rumors-dorian-finney-smith-nets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/27\/lakers-rumors-dorian-finney-smith-nets\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Trade Rumors: LA in “Constant Contact” About Nets Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s needs are glaring. One insider reported they\u2019re looking at wings on the trade market<\/a>, namely a defensive stopper from the Eastern Conference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Rumors: LA in “Constant Contact” About Nets Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lakers Still Connected to Dorian Finney-Smith<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to ClutchPoints\u2019 Anthony Irwin, the Lakers have been eyeing Nets wing <\/span>Dorian Finney-Smith<\/span><\/a>. In a recent episode of <\/span>Lakers Lounge<\/span><\/a>, which featured Bleacher Report\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn that front [perimeter defense], I know that the Lakers checked in on Dorian Finney-Smith last year, and they\u2019ve been in constant contact with Brooklyn about him.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He also noted that sharpshooter <\/span>Cam Johnson<\/span><\/a> is another option, but added, \u201cHis asking price is, I think, kind of tough for the Lakers to match.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s in his ninth season in the NBA, having gone <\/span>undrafted in 2016<\/span><\/a> before spending nearly seven seasons with the Mavericks and the last three with the Nets.<\/span><\/p>\n

How DFS Could Help the Lakers<\/b><\/h3>\n

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\u20197\u201d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dorian Finney-Smith has guarded Centers and Power Forwards most often this season pic.twitter.com\/xlQt8JXYlB<\/a><\/p>\n

— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) November 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n