One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed that the Lakers trade Rui Hachimura and a 2029 first-round pick to the Nets for Finney-Smith. This trade can’t happen until January 15 since Hachimura signed a new contract this summer.
“Even still, if you injected a Lakers front office staffer with truth serum, even they might admit Hachimura isn’t a perfect fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” Buckley wrote. “Provided the real version of Hachimura is the one who played four regular seasons in the NBA and not the one who caught fire in the playoffs spring, he’s not consistent enough as a shooter or a defender to seamlessly fit this frontcourt.
“Finney-Smith, on the other hand, could be a hand-in-glove fit in Hollywood. He’s one of the more versatile wing defenders around and, prior to a rough patch this past season, had established himself as a reliable three-point threat. Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, he canned 405 triples at a 38.9 percent clip.”
NBA TRADES, NEW & RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Nets acquired Finney-Smith from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kyrie Irving trade. The swingman averaged 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists with Dallas and Brooklyn last season while shooting 39.1% from the field, 33.7% from beyond the arc and 76.3% from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, the Lakers acquired Hachimura from the Wizards for Kendrick Nunn and draft picks last season. The Gonzaga product averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 regular-season games with Los Angeles. The 25-year-old then took his game to another level in the 2023 playoffs.
NBA TRADES, NEW & RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Hachimura averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16 games versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. The Lakers got swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
Los Angeles re-signed Hachimura in restricted free agency to a three-year, $51 million contract.
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