The Lakers West Rival is reportedly interested in landing LA’s primary trade target

On By Littum

The Los Angeles Lakers might not be the hottest team in the NBA; however, they are playing much better than they have in previous weeks.

Nevertheless, they have flaws, just like any other team in the middle of the pack. It’s no secret that the Lakers need to make a big-hitting trade or two to get this team into contention for a title this season. That is the expectation and the plan for LA to do as we approach the 2025 NBA trade deadline.

Everyone expects LA to do something like this, but even if it does, many of their top trade targets will be hotly pursued by other competitors. The Lakers have been linked to many names, but one they would love to get their hands on is Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith.

Finney-Smith is a hot commodity on the trade market and will remain so as we approach the date. However, the Lakers won’t be the only team interested. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Lakers’ Western Conference rivals, the Memphis Grizzlies, will have their eyes on the 31-year-old.

Stein reported that the Grizzlies are a “team to watch” in the market for Finney-Smith, an attractive depth piece for many top teams in the league, and will be a free agent after the 2024-25 campaign.

There are many reasons to be attracted to the forward, especially this contract. Finney-Smith has a $15.3 million player option for 2025-2026, but he could also be a solid depth scoring option on top of that defensive prowess.

Finney-Smith has been as solid as can be this season. He is averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 43 percent from three in 20 games and 29.0 minutes action.

The six-foot-seven two-way forward has been fantastic for the lowly Nets team, which looks to make some significant changes to its roster before the trade deadline. Depending on how hard he will be pursued, Finney-Smith’s price could rise or stay roughly the same as we approach the deadline.

One thing’s for sure: The Lakers aren’t the only team that will have their eye on the veteran forward who could be the difference for any team looking to get over the hump.

Finney-Smith is a former undrafted player from the 2016 NBA Draft class out of Florida University.

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