Lakers Trade For Finney-Smith, Milton

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Post on Dec 30, 2024

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Lakers Land Finney-Smith and Milton: A Smart Trade or Risky Gamble?

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant move, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock from the Dallas Mavericks in a trade that sends Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz (who subsequently waived him). This deal significantly alters the Lakers' roster, injecting much-needed defensive grit and three-point shooting. But is it enough to propel them to a championship run, or a risky gamble that could backfire?

Analyzing the Trade's Impact:

The Lakers desperately needed to improve their defense and three-point shooting. Russell Westbrook, despite his athleticism, wasn't providing either consistently. This trade directly addresses these weaknesses:

• Dorian Finney-Smith: Finney-Smith is a known commodity as a tenacious defender. He’s a versatile player who can guard multiple positions, a crucial asset for a team lacking consistent defensive presence. His ability to defend wings and forwards will significantly bolster the Lakers' perimeter defense. While not a prolific scorer, his three-point shooting is a valuable addition, improving their spacing on offense.

• Reggie Bullock: A career 37% three-point shooter, Bullock adds much-needed floor spacing to the Lakers' lineup. His offensive contributions are primarily focused on shooting, but this is precisely what the team lacked. His ability to hit open threes will make the Lakers a more difficult team to defend, especially in playoff scenarios.

Strengths of the Trade:

• Improved Defense: The addition of Finney-Smith immediately improves the Lakers' defensive capabilities. His defensive tenacity and versatility will be invaluable in the playoffs.

• Enhanced Three-Point Shooting: Both Finney-Smith and Bullock bring reliable three-point shooting, something the Lakers have lacked. This should open up driving lanes for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

• Roster Flexibility: This trade allows the Lakers to play a more versatile lineup, better suited for playoff matchups. The improved defensive and shooting capabilities are a direct improvement over the previous roster composition.

Potential Weaknesses and Risks:

• Offensive Limitations: Neither Finney-Smith nor Bullock is a high-volume scorer. While their shooting is valuable, the Lakers still rely heavily on LeBron James and Anthony Davis for offensive production.

• Chemistry Concerns: Integrating new players into a team with established stars always carries a risk. It remains to be seen how quickly Finney-Smith and Bullock can integrate into the Lakers' offensive and defensive systems.

• Depth at Certain Positions: The trade might leave the Lakers a little thin at certain positions, though this largely depends on how the rest of the roster is utilized.

Conclusion:

The Lakers' trade for Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock is a high-risk, high-reward move. It directly addresses the team's most glaring weaknesses: defense and three-point shooting. However, it does not completely solve their problems, as they still rely heavily on the health and performance of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The success of this trade will hinge on the players' integration into the team, their performance in the playoffs, and the overall health of the roster. While the move certainly makes them more competitive, whether it's enough to compete for a championship remains to be seen. Only time will tell if this was a smart move or a calculated gamble that ultimately falls short.