After making a big move for Dorian Finney-Smith well ahead of the trade deadline, the Lakers are reportedly expected to evaluate their roster before making another deal.
While the Lakers’ interest in Dorian Finney-Smith dated back multiple years, few expected them to pull the trigger on a deal before the turn of the new year.
It’s a change of pace for the Lakers, who hadn’t made a deal in 22 months since trading for the draft pick that became Maxwell Lewis in the 2023 NBA Draft. When they finally did pull the trigger, though, they made a deal that improved them on the court and gave them financial flexibility, too.
Another benefit of the deal's timing is that the Lakers will have a chance to see their new team before the trade deadline. According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, their intention is to do just that before making another deal.
“My understanding from team and league sources…is that the Lakers are, now that they made this move, their plan is to see how DFS fits with either the starting lineup or the bench, just fits within the lineup, get some of these injured guys back…and then they want to evaluate the trade market and assess ‘What are our needs and what are we will to give up?’”
The Lakers shifted their rotation multiple ways with this deal. Taking out a ball-dominant guard in D’Angelo Russell and replacing him with a low-usage 3-and-D wing in Finney-Smith will change responsibilities throughout the roster.
The team will now rely more on the likes of Gabe Vincent and Austin Reaves to be ball-handlers while shifting the types of lineups they can play with DFS. Getting a bit of a chance to see how the team now plays before potentially making a deal is a luxury.
That being said, reports also indicate the Lakers will still look for upgrades and trades. On Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Lakers are “open” to a deal still.
(@ShamsCharania)
— NBA•Fan (@Klutch_23) December 30, 2024
Lakers coach Redick and Rob Pelinka have both targeted Dorian Finney-Smith over the past couple of days.
Shams Charania also implies that the Lakers are not done making moves. They are open to acquiring players to play under JJ for the next 5 years.#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/urxNO1nj9p
The Lakers find themselves in a great spot moving forward. They did not need to trade a first round pick in the deal to acquire DFS. They have over a month to evaluate their new-look roster. And they have the picks and tradeable contracts to make potential upgrades.
It might have taken Rob Pelinka two years to make a trade, but the Lakers are in a good space after he finally did pull the trigger.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
