There is no shortage of rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers’ potential moves this offseason. While waiting for LeBron James’ decision, the team might explore trades to strengthen their core.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report offered four trade predictions for the NBA’s coming months. One proposal involves the Lakers trading with the Brooklyn Nets, sending Rui Hachimura and the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA draft to the Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith.
“Lakers fans dreaming of adding a third star may roll their eyes at this suggestion,” Buckley wrote in a June 1, 2024 article titled, “Fresh Predictions from NBA Trade and Offseason Rumors.” “Finney-Smith isn’t elite, and some may question if he’s enough of an upgrade to warrant the No. 17 pick (which becomes movable on draft night).
“In a vacuum, there might not be much difference between the two forwards, but considering fit, Finney-Smith’s three-and-D game could be more impactful than Hachimura’s score-first style,” Buckley added. “L.A. needs more two-way talent, better defensive perimeter protection, and more shooting. The best version of Finney-Smith checks all three boxes.”
Lakers Rumors: Trading for Nets Forward Dorian Finney-Smith Doesn’t Offer Much of an Upgrade
It’s fair to question if Finney-Smith is an upgrade over Hachimura, especially with the Lakers giving up the No. 17 pick. Even if the draft isn’t seen as strong, the pick has value as a potential affordable role player. The Lakers could also package this pick in a larger trade.
Finney-Smith has two seasons left on a four-year, $55.5 million contract, with a $14.9 million cap hit in 2024-25 and a player option for free agency in 2025. Hachimura has two seasons left on a three-year, $51 million contract, with a $17 million cap hit next season.
This season, Hachimura averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 42.2% from three in 68 appearances. Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 68 games, including 56 starts. On paper, this trade doesn’t significantly improve the Lakers’ contention chances.
Lakers News: LA Expected to Be ‘Aggressive on the Trade Market’
Much of the Lakers’ offseason depends on what James decides in the coming months, as he can opt out of his current deal to become a free agent.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported that the Lakers are expected to be “aggressive on the trade market.” It remains to be seen if the team will pursue a star or focus on acquiring role players like Finney-Smith.
“The Lakers are expected to be aggressive on the trade market, as The Athletic previously reported,” Buha detailed in a May 30 story titled, “Lakers’ offseason centers on one question: Trade for star or upgrade supporting cast?” “Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka hinted at the 2024 trade deadline that part of the reason for not making a deal then was the moves the organization could make around the draft, starting June 26, when they will have access to trade three of their first-round picks (2024 or 2025, 2029, and 2031).”
