Lakers Update: Dorian Finney-Smith Stands by Luka Doncic Amid Conditioning Criticism
The Lakers have shaken things up by trading Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Doncic, a bold move signaling their future plans beyond LeBron James. This decision could set the foundation for years of success.
Doncic and Finney-Smith share a strong bond from their time together in Dallas, and Doncic has expressed excitement about reuniting. Finney-Smith reciprocated the sentiment when asked about the transition.
“Man, these past couple of days have been wild,” Finney-Smith said after practice on Wednesday. “Playing alongside AD was great—he’s a phenomenal player and an All-Star—but Luka is my guy. I didn’t like how things played out, and I think he deserved that payday. But I’m happy with where I’m at now.”
Reports have emerged about Dallas’ concerns regarding Doncic’s conditioning and weight, but Finney-Smith dismissed them, pointing to the star’s performance.
“I know him, man. He wants to play the whole game. Last playoffs, he played like 40 minutes every night. That’s just who he is—he’s a hooper. I ignore the noise and look at the numbers, and he produces. Honestly, if I were putting up those stats, maybe I’d want to be 270 too.”
Adjusting to Doncic’s presence while the team is already performing well will take some effort, but Finney-Smith believes it will ultimately benefit everyone.
“We’ve been trending in the right direction, and adding a player like that will make things so much easier, especially offensively. Luka and LeBron will attract so much attention, opening up opportunities for guys like me who just need to catch, shoot, and defend. I know Gabe, Rui, and AR are gonna love it too. Defenses will focus on Luka and LeBron, which means AR will start getting weaker defenders on him. There will be a lot of opportunities.”
Finney-Smith also expressed confidence in the Lakers’ current roster, believing they have what it takes to make a deep run, especially with Doncic in the mix.
“We’ve got enough,” he said. “I feel like we have everything needed to make some noise. I’m excited—we have the shooting, the defense with Gabe, Vandy, me, and the rest of the squad. Jaxson has been stepping up, and the energy has been great. We just have to keep it going.”
Having played alongside Doncic before, Finney-Smith understands what he brings to a team, and fans may get to see them together in purple and gold as early as this weekend.
Dorian Finney-Smith Highlights Luka Doncic’s Leadership
Concerns about Luka Doncic’s fit with the Mavericks’ culture have also surfaced, and once again, Finney-Smith came to his defense.
“Luka builds relationships with everyone in the locker room. He’s been like that since his rookie year. You could tell he had a professional mindset early on—he was a pro even before joining the NBA. People keep questioning whether he and LeBron can coexist, but if you know Luka’s personality, you’d know he gets along with anyone. He’s a competitor. He smiles a lot, but when he’s on the court, he’s a beast, and that’s what I respect.”
Doncic’s competitive nature is undeniable, and he now has more motivation than ever to silence his critics, including those in Dallas.
LeBron James Addresses Lakers’ Trade for Luka Doncic
When the Lakers made the blockbuster move to trade Anthony Davis and assets to the Mavericks for Luka Doncic, speculation arose about how LeBron James would react. The trade involved one of James’ closest friends and a Klutch Sports client, leading to rumors that he might want out of Los Angeles.
Those rumors were put to rest quickly, with reports indicating that James had no plans to request a trade before the deadline. However, some uncertainty remained about his stance on the deal.
James put any doubts to rest after L.A.’s victory over the Clippers on Tuesday night. When asked if he had an issue with the team prioritizing the future over the present, he responded bluntly.
“What’s wrong with that?” James asked.
A follow-up question probed whether the trade altered his plans to finish his career in Los Angeles. Once again, James was direct.
“If I had a problem with it, I’d waive my no-trade clause and leave. I’m here right now. I’m committed to this organization. As a leader and captain, my job is to make this transition smooth for the new guys.”
Given James’ influence both on and off the court, it’s clear that if he remains with the Lakers, it’s by choice. If he were planning an exit, he would still give the team his all while he remains on the roster.
Ideally, this puts an end to the speculation about James’ commitment to the Lakers—at least until the summer, when all parties can reassess their plans moving forward.
LeBron James on Teaming Up with Luka Doncic
LeBron James has played alongside some of the NBA’s greatest talents, but Luka Doncic may be the best of the bunch.
Doncic didn’t play against the Clippers on Tuesday but was present on the bench to support his new teammates.
After the Lakers’ victory, James shared his thoughts on playing with Doncic and how their playing styles complement each other.