Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick believes the team’s season shifted dramatically after acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith.
“He’s brought a level of toughness. The spirit to want to defend. Guys have responded well to who he is as a player, a teammate,” Redick said, per Erik Slater.
Before the trade, the Lakers ranked 21st in defensive rating. Since adding Finney-Smith, they have climbed to fourth, showcasing a clear defensive transformation.
Los Angeles acquired Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets on December 29, 2024, in exchange for Maxwell Lewis, D’Angelo Russell, and three future second-round picks.
Since joining the Lakers, Finney-Smith has averaged 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game. While his offensive numbers remain modest, his defensive impact has been significant.
The Lakers (40-23) surged up the Western Conference standings after the deal, winning 22 of 32 games. Their success pushed them to the No. 2 seed before back-to-back losses to Boston and Brooklyn dropped them to third.
Despite the recent setbacks, Los Angeles remains one of the hottest teams in the league, largely due to their defensive improvements.
The Lakers’ turnaround has positioned them as legitimate contenders in the West. Their ability to maintain this defensive intensity will be key as they push toward the postseason.
With Finney-Smith reinforcing the team’s identity, Los Angeles aims to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs and make a deep run.
