The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith initially met with a mixed reception. While some applauded the team for converting D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract into a valuable role player, others questioned whether the Lakers had correctly prioritized their needs. Although Finney-Smith’s arrival did not directly address the team’s need for greater depth at the center position, his impact on the Lakers’ overall performance has been undeniable, and his individual talents are now becoming increasingly evident.
Finney-Smith has been a consistently positive influence during his short time with the Lakers. Appearing in 19 of a possible 23 games, he has contributed to the team’s demonstrably elite level of play while on the court—a statement that, while seemingly hyperbolic, is entirely accurate. The Lakers boast a remarkable 15.2-point differential per 100 possessions with Finney-Smith on the floor, compared to a 2.3-point deficit when he is off. Despite his significant impact, some have questioned Finney-Smith’s value due to his relatively modest individual statistics.
While this criticism is admittedly shortsighted, concerns existed regarding his offensive contributions and whether they could balance his exceptional defensive abilities. Fortunately, Finney-Smith’s offensive game has begun to coalesce in recent weeks, suggesting the potential for further improvement for the Lakers.
Dorian Finney Smith is Becoming the Roleplayer the Los Angeles Lakers Need
Finney-Smith’s offensive contributions during his Lakers tenure have shown a pattern of fluctuation. This was particularly evident early on, as he averaged 6.2 points per game with shooting splits of .458/.372/.800 in his first 12 games with the team. However, over his subsequent seven games, Finney-Smith has seen an increase in production, averaging 8.9 points per game with improved shooting splits of .511/.438/1.000. While these numbers may not be exceptionally high, they represent a notable step forward for a player who primarily operates off-ball and is still integrating himself within a new team after less than 20 games. Beyond his scoring, Finney-Smith has demonstrated remarkable efficiency and meaningful productivity in two key offensive areas.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s YouTube Channel
Over his last seven games, Dorian Finney-Smith has been highly effective from three-point range, converting 2.0 three-pointers per game at a 43.8% clip. A somewhat surprising development has been Finney-Smith’s ability to balance his off-ball role with an unselfish approach when in possession of the ball. He has averaged 2.3 assists per game over his last seven appearances, a significant increase from his 0.8 assists per game average in his first 12 games with Los Angeles.
This combination of efficient floor spacing and unselfish play has been crucial to the Lakers’ improved consistency and overall performance. Furthermore, it highlights Finney-Smith’s remarkable adaptability. In less than two months, his role has evolved from playing on a sub.500 team to complement Anthony Davis and subsequently work alongside Luka Dončić.
With Dorian Finney Smith increasingly establishing himself as a reliable floor-spacing option and demonstrating his ability as a competent complementary playmaker, the Lakers have the potential to unlock a new level of performance.