The Los Angeles Lakers have once again made a monumental move, this time shaking up the NBA landscape by trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team deal that brings Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
With Doncic, just 25 years old and already a five-time All-NBA First Team player, joining the Lakers, the team has undoubtedly gained a new franchise star. Doncic’s impressive resume, which includes a scoring title, an NBA Finals appearance, and two Conference Finals trips, gives the Lakers hope for another championship.
While the entire city is likely buzzing with excitement about Doncic’s arrival, one player, in particular, is especially thrilled: Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith, who played with Doncic in Dallas from 2018-2023, will now reunite with him in Los Angeles. Having established himself as one of the NBA’s top 3-and-D forwards, Finney-Smith’s return to playing alongside Doncic could mean big things for his future with the Lakers.
Despite his player option for the 2025-26 season, Finney-Smith can now view the Lakers as a long-term home. Since joining the Lakers in late December, he has contributed significantly to their defensive improvement, helping them rise from No. 21 to No. 8 in defensive rating by January. With Doncic now in the fold, Finney-Smith’s offensive game may also flourish, as the two already share excellent chemistry from their time in Dallas.
If their past success translates to the Lakers, Finney-Smith could be in line for a new contract, especially if Doncic advocates for his continued presence. Given the chemistry between the two, Finney-Smith stands to gain the most from Doncic’s arrival, making him a key player to watch moving forward.
