Latest news with #DorianFinney-Smith
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers Could Lose Crucial Free Agent to Cavaliers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the offseason with all sorts of questions surrounding the roster. Los Angeles has to add to the frontcourt if it wants to be fully considered a contender in the Western Conference. More NBA news: Lakers Listed as Potential Landing Spot For All-Star Center But in addition, the Lakers do have a few critical players primed to enter free agency. The biggest name is veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith, who has a player-option for $15.3 million for next year. Finney-Smith was key to the Lakers clinching the No. 3 seed in the West entering the playoffs, and he completely helped turn the team around. The veteran is a true 3-and-D player and someone that the Lakers very much enjoyed having on the roster. It remains to be seen what Finney-Smith will do with his contract option, but some around the league believe he could enter free agency. And while the Lakers will try their best to keep Finney-Smith in town, the veteran could draw major interest elsewhere. According to NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, Finney-Smith is a "dream target" of the Cleveland Cavaliers. "If the Cavs prefer to keep the core intact and want to add some toughness and defense around the edges, more affordable options are available. Finney-Smith would be a superb 3-and-D starting power forward if Jarrett Allen is traded and the Cavaliers move Mobley to center." LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Terrence Shannon Jr. #00 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores on a layup in front of Austin Reaves #15, LeBron James #23 and Dorian Finney-Smith #17 of the Los Angeles... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Terrence Shannon Jr. #00 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores on a layup in front of Austin Reaves #15, LeBron James #23 and Dorian Finney-Smith #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 111-102 Lakers win at Arena on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. ( More Photo byFinney-Smith could be a solid option for almost any team, but the Cavaliers would make some sense. Cleveland will be looking to add more talent to the roster following an early playoff exit, and bringing in more wing depth could help. More NBA news: Top 5 Landing Spots For Kevin Durant Amid Trade Rumors The veteran averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game over 43 games with the Lakers. While with the Brooklyn Nets before the trade to Los Angeles, Finney-Smith put up slightly better numbers, being more of a focal point, averaging 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Despite this, Finney-Smith seemed to fit in well alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, giving more thought to the Lakers trying to bring him back. But if the two sides can't agree on a new deal, Finney-Smith could be one of the more talked-about names on the open market. More NBA news: NBA Champion Says Timberwolves Should Target This Anthony Edwards Co-Star Suns' Kevin Durant Receives Eye-Opening Future Prediction For more on the Lakers, Cavaliers, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dorian Finney-Smith on playing for the Lakers this season
Dorian Finney-Smith on playing for the Lakers this season Early this season, the Los Angeles Lakers badly needed a 3-and-D forward with length. It was something they had needed for a few years. In late December, they finally addressed that need by trading struggling guard D'Angelo Russell and little-used forward Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. Finney-Smith immediately made an impact and helped the Lakers transform their identity. They had been a weak defensive team in October, November and December, but afterward, they had long stretches during which they locked opponents down with regularity. After the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs, Finney-Smith quickly reflected on being a member of the team and getting to again play with Luka Doncic. Via Lakers Nation: 'Being here has been amazing,' he said in his exit interview. 'Making it to the 3-seed has been fun, Luka coming in February was a big surprise to many, especially me. Happy to be back with my dawg. Just mad right now that our season ended.' Finney-Smith had been sent by the Dallas Mavericks to the Nets midway through the 2022-23 season in the deal that sent All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to Dallas. Doncic once again created many good looks from 3-point range for Finney-Smith, and the forward ended up shooting 40% from that distance once Doncic made his Lakers debut. Finney-Smith has a player option for next season that he can either play on or turn down in order to become a free agent this summer. Among their other tasks this summer, Los Angeles needs to retain him one way or another in order to have a real shot at winning the NBA championship next season.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dorian Finney-Smith says Game 2 is a must-win game for the Lakers
After losing Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers can get back into the series with a victory in Game 2. But a loss would mean taking a 0-2 series deficit into Minnesota, a place they have had lots of troubling winning games at, for the following two games. Plenty may feel reluctant to call Game 2 a must-win game for the Lakers, given that it is so early in the series. But given the fact that the team has lost seven of its last eight games at Target Center and was 19-22 on the road in the regular season, it should treat Game 2 as one it absolutely needs to claim. Advertisement That is the attitude forward Dorian Finney-Smith seems to have. Via Silver Screen and Roll: 'Every game different,' Finney-Smith said. 'Just got to come out there and be the better team. They was the better team first game. It's a whole new game. We just got to try to come out here and get this win. It's a must-win. Especially if we're trying to do something special, we have to get this win.' A number of Lakers players, including Finney-Smith, will need to play better offensively in Game 2 in order to get into the victory column. On Saturday, he had just three points and shot 1-of-5 from the field in L.A.'s 117-95 loss. Overall, the team's bench only produced 13 points. When Finney-Smith is consistently throwing in darts from 3-point range, he tends to lift the team's ceiling almost all by himself. Game 2 will take place at Arena on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. Pacific time. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Dorian Finney-Smith says Game 2 is a must-win game for the Lakers
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dorian Finney-Smith says Game 2 is a must-win game for the Lakers
Dorian Finney-Smith says Game 2 is a must-win game for the Lakers After losing Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers can get back into the series with a victory in Game 2. But a loss would mean taking a 0-2 series deficit into Minnesota, a place they have had lots of troubling winning games at, for the following two games. Plenty may feel reluctant to call Game 2 a must-win game for the Lakers, given that it is so early in the series. But given the fact that the team has lost seven of its last eight games at Target Center and was 19-22 on the road in the regular season, it should treat Game 2 as one it absolutely needs to claim. That is the attitude forward Dorian Finney-Smith seems to have. Via Silver Screen and Roll: 'Every game different,' Finney-Smith said. 'Just got to come out there and be the better team. They was the better team first game. It's a whole new game. We just got to try to come out here and get this win. It's a must-win. Especially if we're trying to do something special, we have to get this win.' A number of Lakers players, including Finney-Smith, will need to play better offensively in Game 2 in order to get their team into the victory column. On Saturday, he had just three points and shot 1-of-5 from the field in L.A.'s 117-95 loss. Overall, the team's bench only produced 13 points. When Finney-Smith is consistently throwing in darts from 3-point range, he tends to lift the team's ceiling almost all by himself. Game 2 will take place at Arena on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. Pacific time.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dorian Finney-Smith is looking forward to the playoff atmosphere at Crypto.com Arena
It has been a while since the Los Angeles Lakers started a playoff series in their own arena. The last time they did so was back in 2012, back when Kobe Bryant was still their main man and Arena was known as Staples Center. But on Saturday, Game 1 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will take place at Arena, and fans are sure to be hyped, especially since the Lakers are thought to be legitimate championship contenders this year. Advertisement Forward Dorian Finney-Smith is one man who is looking forward to the playoff atmosphere for Game 1 on Saturday. Via Silver Screen and Roll: 'First time I'm going to feel that Laker energy I grew up watching, watching them in the playoffs,' DFS said. 'I'm excited to see the energy that's going to be in the building.' This will be Finney-Smith's fifth appearance in the playoffs in his nine NBA seasons. He reached the Western Conference Finals as a member of the Dallas Mavericks in 2022, so he has learned what the playoffs are all about. 'The playoffs are different, obviously,' DFS said. 'It's just that every possession matters when you're playing in the playoffs. Our fans are always engaged, so I can only imagine how it's going to be in the playoffs. Just talking to [Austin Reaves] and Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt), they talk about the run they made and it was lit in the building. I just want to see for myself.' That run the 31-year-old mentioned came in 2023 when L.A. got to the Western Conference Finals. This time around, the team seems to have a stronger chance at actually going all the way, and it isn't only because it now boasts Luka Doncic. Advertisement The Lakers acquired Finney-Smith in a late December trade from the Brooklyn Nets. His arrival marked the beginning of their turnaround after a couple of years of mostly mediocrity, and he has helped turn them into a playoff-ready team that has the ability to lock opponents down defensively, especially on the perimeter. His defensive ability will be needed for this upcoming series, as L.A. is going up against Anthony Edwards, the superstar Timberwolves guard who can will his team to victory almost by himself at times. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Dorian Finney-Smith is looking forward to playoff atmosphere in L.A.
