Lakers Rumors: LA Will ‘Scour the Trade Market’ After Dorian Finney-Smith Deal

Zach BacharContributor IDecember 30, 2024

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The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly may not be finished making moves.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers plan to “scour the trade market ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline” in search of “potential upgrades” after acquiring forward Dorian Finney-Smith in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

Los Angeles traded point guard D’Angelo Russell, second-year forward Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.

Buha noted that the Lakers’ current plan is to see how Finney-Smith looks with a completely healthy rotation that’ll eventually include frontcourt depth such as Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood while searching for future trade opportunities.

Hayes hasn’t played since Nov. 26 after suffering a right ankle injury. Vanderbilt and Wood are still waiting to make their season debuts due to foot surgery and knee surgery, respectively.

Finney-Smith should immediately contribute in head coach JJ Redick’s rotation, as the veteran was off to a strong start to his 2024-25 campaign. In 20 starts with Brooklyn, he averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three-point territory.

NBA @NBADorian Finney-Smith was MONEY in the 2nd half.

🔥 17 PTS
🔥 6-6 FGM
🔥 5-5 3PM

The @BrooklynNets win a thriller! pic.twitter.com/mZC33jMnr8

He’s a versatile defender with the ability to play both forward positions, which should allow him to easily fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis in multiple lineups.

The Lakers dealt with inconsistency throughout the beginning of the regular season but they’ve won six of their past eight games to sit at 18-13 overall, good enough for the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles should benefit from the addition of Finney-Smith, but general manager Rob Pelinka is still expected to be working the phones prior to the Feb. 6 deadline.