Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers could look to add wing defense before trade deadline

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 12/29/23

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a move before the February trade deadline. Last season, Rob Pelinka rebuilt a significant portion of the playing staff with a plethora of deadline moves. This time, he will need to find upgrades around the edges. On the whole, the Lakers have enough talent to be a contending team. Yet, once again, injuries have derailed their start to the season.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who was speaking on the "Hoops Tonight" podcast, the Lakers could target Royce O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith, both of whom play for the Brooklyn Nets.

“Maybe you … go for Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith,” Buha said. “Those are two guys the Lakers have had interest in dating back to last offseason and even last trade deadline. So I know that those are two guys that they would have interest in bringing in."

Both O'Neale and Finney-Smith are seen as high-level wing defenders. They can both space the floor as catch-and-shoot threats on the perimeter, too. Finney-Smith is currently converting his three-point shots at an impressive 44.8% clip, which would undoubtedly be enticing for a Lakers team that's always looking for ways to give LeBron James and Anthony Davis more spacing.

However, it's unlikely the Nets would be willing to part with one or both of their wing defenders without expecting to upgrade their roster in return. Pelinka may need to part ways with some of his young trade assets to get a deal over the line. Still, a move for O'Neale or Finney-Smith makes more sense than the Lakers chasing after a third star like Zach LaVine.

Los Angeles has enough top-end star talent. Finding pieces that fit in around those stars will be what makes the biggest difference. Whether the Nets are willing to trade partners will remain to be seen, but at least Pelinka has a prototype of the player he wants to acquire in mind.

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