Amid JJ Redick drawing 'Darvin Ham' parallels, Dorian Finney-Smith reveals real reason behind losing minutes in $51M forward's favor
JJ Redick is yet to fully integrate LA Lakers' trade addition Dorian Finney-Smith into his lineup. Finney-Smith is already one of LA's best wing defenders, and fans want him to start over Rui Hachimura, a better offensive player but streaky lately. His production has been detrimental to the Lakers' results. Hachimura, who is on a three-year $51 million contract, also struggles to compensate for his off nights defensively.
Many felt Redick was biased towards Hachimura, leading to Finney-Smith's limited minutes. Some even compared Redick favoring Hachimura to former coach Darvin Ham overplaying Taurean Prince last season.
However, Finney-Smith cleared the air about playing on a minute restriction after his best offensive game in Tuesday's 116-88 win over the Washington Wizards.
"They’re saving me from myself … I got to be begging to play more minutes."
Before Finney-Smith, JJ Redick confirmed that the veteran wing was dealing with an ankle injury he suffered during his time in Brooklyn. The Lakers have been managing that, leading to Finney-Smith averaging 23.4 minutes in eight games.
However, Redick said he's cleared to increase his floor time by four or five minutes. Dorian Finney-Smith played only 22 minutes again, but it was a lopsided contest since the start. He made the most of it, tallying 16 points, a Lakers career-high, shooting 6 of 8, including 4 of 6 from 3. Finney-Smith added two rebounds.
ICYMI: Lakers fans liken JJ Redick favoring misfiring $51M wing to Darvin Ham-Taurean Prince situation
Why it makes sense for Lakers coach JJ Redick to ease Dorian Finney-Smith into his plans
Dorian Finney-Smith played 29 minutes per contest and started all 20 games for the Brooklyn Nets. However, the Lakers wing revealed he was playing through injury. The team's demands were different, forcing him to play through the ankle ailment.
However, despite being in contention to make the playoffs, unlike the Nets, the Lakers are cautious with Finney-Smith. It makes sense for JJ Redick and his staff to do that. The Lakers are already thin in the frontcourt, especially at the wing spots. Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood haven't made their season debuts.
The Lakers can't afford another long-term absentee, especially someone like Dorian Finney-Smith, their best wing and switch defender. Finney-Smith is also adjusting with every game. The Lakers are five games over .500, so there's no rush for them to make immediate changes to the lineup.
Not only do they risk Finney-Smith potentially getting sidelined, but it could also disrupt Rui Hachimura and the other starters' rhythm with the current group, which has played 19 games together.