Lakers 2024-25 season player grades: Dorian Finney-Smith

USA Today

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Lakers 2024-25 season player grades: Dorian Finney-Smith
Over the last few seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers have had an utter lack of two-way players, and in particular, 3-and-D wings. In late December, shortly after a bad, prolonged slump, they acquired veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
Finney-Smith greatly helped the Lakers turn things around the rest of the way. In doing so, he became a part of their inner core, and he is a player who most feel they need to keep this offseason, as he can turn down his player option for next season to become a free agent.
Dorian Finney-Smith's season stats
In 43 regular-season games with the Lakers, Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals in 28.8 minutes a game while shooting 44.2% from the field and 39.8% from 3-point range.
In the first round of the NBA playoffs, he averaged 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 34.0 minutes a game while shooting 41.4% from the field and 36.8% from 3-point range.
Overall Analysis
During the first two months of this season, the Lakers were a rather weak defensive team, but they improved significantly in that department starting in January. More than anyone else, Finney-Smith sparked that transformation.
While he played at the 4 the majority of the time, he has the ability to effectively guard players at multiple positions. His contributions on the defensive end don't show up on the stat sheet, as he doesn't get a lot of steals or force many turnovers, and he's not a shot-blocker.
But he does muck up the game for his opponents, and that is evidenced in the plus-minus and net rating categories. During the regular season, L.A. had a net rating of 11.1 when he was on the court, which was the highest net rating of any of its rotation players. Its 109.1 defensive rating when he was on the court was also the highest such figure of any of its rotation players.
Finney-Smith also gave the Lakers a much-needed 3-point sniper. There is a sentiment that good and great 3-point shooters suddenly stop hitting from downtown when they join the Purple and Gold. But Finney-Smith put a big dent in that claim. He didn't only hit a high percentage from 3-point range; he also attempted 4.8 shots a game from that distance.
He became a big part of a bench unit that was offensively inept but contributed thanks to its defensive grit and toughness. That unit included noted "dogs" such as Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and former G Leaguer Jordan Goodwin.
What's next for Finney-Smith?
The forward's player option for the 2025-26 campaign would pay him $15.38 million. His next contract may be his last one, since he is 32 years of age, and many seem to believe he will opt out, whether he wants to stay or go.
He claimed a few weeks ago that he hasn't really thought about whether he wants to remain put. But he also said that being with the Lakers and with former Dallas Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic has been "amazing."
Overall grade: B-plus/A-minus