Another NBA season is upon us. As usual, that means another year of title aspirations for the Los Angeles Lakers. This team is almost always in the title picture. This year is no exception. The Lakers will hope to play long into the summer this season.
They will face obstacles. LeBron James remains one of the best players in the NBA, but he’s a year older. It seems as if his minutes will be somewhat restricted this year. Anthony Davis is still one of the best two-way big men in basketball, but he also remains an ongoing injury concern.
How will the Lakers overcome those obstacles? Well, having a strong platoon of 3-and-D wings would help ease both players’ burdens on the defensive end. That’s why the Lakers acquired Taurean Prince this year, but so far, he’s been inconsistent.
Could they bolster their rotation by acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Gabe Vincent, G/F Cam Reddish, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith
How do the Lakers do it? They’ve been contending for the title more often than not for decades on end. The Lakers have established themselves as the premiere brand in basketball. How have they accomplished that feat?
Sure, market size helps. The Lakers play in Los Angeles. It’s quite the market. At the same time, that alone doesn’t explain their success.
The New York Knicks have struggled to put a legitimate title contender during the same time frame in which the Lakers have dominated. In fact, the Nets have come closer to contention than the Knicks in recent years.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Market size matters, but give the Lakers credit. They’ve been generally well-managed and obviously have a knack for attracting star talent.
Would Finney-Smith be the right acquisition to support their current stars?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
As it stands, Prince is probably the best pure 3-and-D wing on this roster. That feels like a problem. He’s a quality rotation player, but this is an archetype that most contenders covet. With that in mind, most contenders have a better 3-and-D wing than Prince.
Even then, let’s assume that Prince is enough. OK. Most contenders have a platoon of such players. The Lakers need to upgrade their wing rotation. So, the question is this: is Finney-Smith enough of an upgrade?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
We think so. He’s an outstanding defender, and that’s most critical here. Finney-Smith is an inconsistent shooter, but when he’s connecting, he’ll make for a perfect addition to this team.
Should the Nets really part with him?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Nobody needs to tell the Nets about the importance of 3-and-D wings. They got the memo. In fact, this team may have too many. Between Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Royce O’Neale and Finney-Smith, somebody might be the odd man out.
Meanwhile, the Nets may have a surplus of 3-and-D wings, but they’re not exactly contenders. On the other hand, this team doesn’t control its own draft for the foreseeable future. This puts the Nets in a bind. They have no incentive to tank, but at the same time, they should be thinking about their future.
This deal tries to split that difference. Vincent is a useful player, and the Nets could use more depth at the point guard spot.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
At the same time, they’re taking a flyer on Reddish and a pair of second-round picks. That’s fair value for Finney-Smith: even if they’re sending him to the legendary Lakers.
