The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in trading for a role player from the Brooklyn Nets. According to Clutch Point’s Anthony F. Irwin, the Lakers “checked in on Dorian Finney-Smith” last season and have been in “constant contact” with the Nets about him this season (17:30 in the video).
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Have Contacted The Brooklyn Nets To Inquire About Dorian Finney-Smith
Los Angeles could be the perfect fit for Finney-Smith. Through 14 games (all starts) with Brooklyn this season, the 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest while shooting 46.6% from the field, a career-best 41% from 3-point range, and a career-low 61.1% at the free throw line.
The Nets are expected to move on from Finney-Smith if the Lakers make them the right offer. During the offseason, Brooklyn made it clear that it would undergo a rebuild this season after trading swingman Mikal Bridges.
LOUNGE: What Are The Lakers’ Options As December NBA Trade Rumors Approach? (with @JakeLFischer) https://t.co/HV1B8Oq0AD
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) November 25, 2024
This means the Nets would probably send Finney-Smith to Los Angeles in exchange for future draft picks. That’s only if the Lakers put forth a reasonable trade package.
Per Spotrac, Finney-Smith is in the third season of the four-year, $52 million contract extension he signed with the Dallas Mavericks in February 2022.
His 5% trade bonus was activated in the Dallas-Brooklyn trade. Finney-Smith’s deal also includes a 2025-26 player option worth $15.37 million.
Cam Johnson Is Another Target For Los Angeles?
Irwin also mentioned small forward Cam Johnson as a potential target for Los Angeles. Johnson, 28, is in his sixth season out of UNC. In 18 games (all starts) this campaign, he’s averaging career highs of 18.3 points and 32.6 minutes, along with 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
The Lakers have had a decent start to the 2024-25 season, sitting at 10-6 and fourth in the Western Conference standings. They currently have a 65.6% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI). However, the team could use another sharpshooter.
Los Angeles’ phenomenal start can be attributed to solid performances from Anthony Davis, who is averaging a career-high 30.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.9 blocks, in addition to consistent play from LeBron James, who is averaging 23.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in his 22nd season.
Additionally, rookie forward Dalton Knecht is the frontrunner for ROTY. Then there’s role players like Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell. All three players have displayed strong outings. In addition to Los Angeles needing a reliable 3-point shooter, an impenetrable defender would work wonders in the frontcourt.
