The Los Angeles Lakers entered the final week of December as a team with three undeniable flaws. One was the lack of depth and strength down low, another was the persistent issue of erratic perimeter defense, and the third was poor production from the second unit.
The first continues to be an issue the Lakers must find a way to address, but the second and third seem to be close to a resolution after the arrival of Dorian Finney-Smith.
Los Angeles made waves when it opted against the pursuit of a star and instead traded D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a bold declaration that the Lakers have finally learned from past mistakes.
More specifically, it was an admission of guilt pertaining to how Los Angeles traded its best 3-and-D player, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, in 2021 and never decided to replace him.
Four seasons later, the results have been dire—2024-25 included. Prior to Finney-Smith's arrival, the Lakers were allowing opponents to shoot 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. It was perhaps the most significant element of the team's defensive woes, as the perimeter players simply lacked the consistency to hold the opposition accountable.
Since adding Finney-Smith, however, the Lakers have slowly begun to emerge as a significantly more well-rounded team on both ends of the floor.
Dorian Finney-Smith is already one of the Lakers' most valuable players
Since Finney-Smith arrived in Los Angeles, the Lakers are holding opponents to 32.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. A four-game sample size only counts for so much, but it's an accurate illustration of how he's instantly changed the way the purple and gold play.
With Finney-Smith on the court, the Lakers have a player whose defensive intensity goes unquestioned—an unfortunately uncommon experience in 2024-25.
After starting off slow on offense, Finney-Smith has now found his form as a scorer, as well. He put up eight points, five rebounds, and three offensive boards while burying two three-point field goals against the Atlanta Hawks, and dropped 13 points in 26 minutes at the Houston Rockets.
Those may not be the most explosive showings imaginable, but it's been quite some time since the Lakers had a legitimate 3-and-D wing who could create second chances.
Perhaps it's too soon to compare Finney-Smith to Caldwell-Pope, but he's filling the void that the Lakers have otherwise failed to address since trading the two-time NBA champion in 2021. Much like Caldwell-Pope, he's ready to take on any defensive assignment thrown his way.
He also doesn't require a specific number of shots or touches for that effort to be provided, which hasn't been an attribute a Laker other than Anthony Davis could claim for themselves in recent years.
The front office still has work to do, and the Lakers' other players will need to follow Finney-Smith's example if the 2024-25 season will be as rewarding as it should be. In just four games, however, Finney-Smith has already developed remarkable chemistry with his new teammates.
Los Angeles is currently outscoring opponents by 12.8 points per 100 possessions with Finney-Smith on the court. It's being outscored by 9.5 points per 100 possessions when he isn't—good for a 22.3-point swing.
It may be early in the process, but simply trading for Finney-Smith proves the Lakers are finally willing to admit their mistakes and build a coherent roster with the potential to contend.