Lakers Trade Rumors: Insider named Nets duo worth $41.9 million as targets for LeBron James and co.
Currently sitting in a playoff spot in the Western Conference, the LA Lakers are likely to be buyers at the trade deadline. According to one insider, they could be eyeing players on arguably the league's biggest seller.
As they go through their rebuild, the Brooklyn Nets have already begun parting with their veteran talent. Over the weekend, Dennis Schroder was dealt to the Golden State Warriors for expiring contracts and draft capital. The journeyman guard was just one of many players on the Nets' roster expected to garner trade interest.
In his latest column, insider Jovan Buha cited a pair of players in Brooklyn LA has an interest in leading up to the February trade deadline. Those are Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith.
"Brooklyn is expected to make wings Cam Johnson ($22.5 million but with a likely cap hit of $27 million) and Dorian Finney-Smith ($14.9 million) available — and much sooner than the Feb. 6 deadline. Both have been tied to the Lakers for months. The Lakers have been interested in Finney-Smith for at least a couple of years."
Armed with contracts of varying sizes and some draft equity, Rob Pelinka has assets to upgrade the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The question is if he'll be able to execute any moves after not making any changes in the offseason.
Would Cam Johnson and or Dorian Finney-Smith be a good addition to the LA Lakers?
When the Lakers won the NBA championship in 2020, they did so by putting complementary pieces around the duo of LeBron and AD. Acquiring either of Brooklyn's wings would go back to the blueprint, as both are seamless fits on the roster.
Of the two, Johnson would likely be able to provide more of a boost. He's in the midst of his best season in the NBA, averaging 18.6 points and shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc. As a veteran three-and-D wing, Johnson's style of play can instantly be inserted next to LA's stars. He can provide a strong scoring punch by being a reliable kick-out option for LeBron and Davis.
Finney-Smith's numbers took a slight dip last season, but he's managed to bounce back for the Nets. This year, he is averaging 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting an impressive 45.0% from three on six attempts per game.
On the defensive end, Finney-Smith would give the Lakers more flexibility. Also, he's shown in the past he's capable of excelling next to star talent. During his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, he was a reliable three-and-D option alongside Luka Doncic.
Neither of these names jump off the page, but they're the kind of players who could help LA compete in a loaded Western Conference.