The Los Angeles Lakers swung a deal to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets over the weekend. Importantly, the Lakers didn’t have to give up a single first-round pick in the trade.
Los Angeles is still looking for upgrades ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. Rob Pelinka is still armed with two tradeable first-round picks, as well as matching salary to put into deals to round out the Lakers roster.
The Lakers could be looking for backcourt depth, while still maintaining interest in Cam Johnson of the Nets, as well as Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards. In the Finney-Smith deal, Los Angeles moved off some money and cleared about $3.5 million in space under the second apron. That’s crucial wiggle room to work with up to the trade deadline.
NCAA.com’s Andy Katz’s latest men’s basketball Power 37 rankings.