Lakers’ Dorian Finney-Smith shares insightful insight into being LeBron James’ teammate

The Los Angeles Lakers finally pulled the trigger on a D’Angelo Russell trade, sending him to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith before the calendar turned to 2025. Finney-Smith has long been coveted around the league for being a solid 3-and-D wing who could fit into any lineup, and the Lakers will depend on him to provide some toughness, floor spacing and rebounding even if he’s still in a bench role as of now. .

Finney-Smith has had many battles against LeBron James in the past, as at each stop he has been tasked with containing the team’s best perimeter player. And on the Lakers, that title unquestionably belongs to James. But now that they are teammates, Finney-Smith can breathe a little easier, as he can simply observe James in all his greatness while being secure in the fact that they are teammates. now on the same side.

“Having fun watching LeBron shoot the ball with one leg and shit. It’s fun to be here to see him and not have to guard him,” Finney-Smith said Sunday night, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

But beyond the fun of playing with James, Finney-Smith is expected to play a very important role for the Lakers in the coming stretch. Although Los Angeles lost in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday to the Houston Rockets, 119-115, the 31-year-old forward hit some huge shots and finished with 13 points on the night.

Finney-Smith could be in line to play a larger role for the team in the future depending on matchups. But the Lakers seem content to take it a little slowly.

Dorian Finney-Smith, now with the Lakers, should be back to his best

On a rebuilding team like the Brooklyn Nets, Dorian Finney-Smith’s skills aren’t too valuable. Finney-Smith is the quintessential role player, a versatile and switchable defensive forward who has plenty of big-game experience that would make him A real weapon for the Lakers.

Finney-Smith thrives when he can focus on doing the dirty work and making open shots on a team with competitive aspirations. This was the role he played with the Dallas Mavericks, thriving alongside Luka Doncic, especially during their run to the Conference Finals in 2022. Now, with the Lakers, Finney-Smith can simply do his best, as he can just spot the corner, crash the glass, and work your butt off on defense while letting LeBron James and Anthony Davis do the cooking.