Grading the Lakers trade season
Lakers dominate the trade deadline
If only this year’s NBA trade deadline had been more exciting. I can confidently say that the last few weeks did not go according to anybody’s plans except Rob Pelinka. The Lakers have pulled off moves that have left the rest of the league grasping at straws, wondering what exactly is possible.
Los Angeles has completely revamped its team and somehow built for both the present and the future. Through three different trades, the Lakers have established themselves as genuine contenders, not just in the West but league-wide.
Dorian Finney Smith Trade: A
When Dorian Finney-Smith was traded to Los Angeles, it felt like a culture shift in LA. The exodus of D’Angelo Russell and the insertion of Finney-Smith into the lineup instantly paid dividends. As Finney-Smith’s defensive talents shined quickly, he was able to win outside the box score.
Since trading for Dorian Finney-Smith (15 game sample size) the Lakers are 11th in ORtg and 10th in DRtg. On the season they are 13th and 21st, respectively.
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) February 1, 2025
Initially, I would have given this trade an A- simply because, while an incredibly valuable addition, he’s not a superstar by any means. That was until the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić. Finney-Smith signed with the Mavericks in 2016 as an undrafted free agent shortly before Luka was drafted by Dallas in 2018.
The two players formed a strong bond together, playing five years together. Finney-Smith will help make Luka’s transition to LA much more seamless and comfortable. And for that, he gets a grade boost.
Luka on Dorian Finney-Smith last season:
“That’s my guy. I miss him so much, and I know we’re going to play [together] again some day.”
Luka and DFS are now reunited in LA 💛💜
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) February 2, 2025
Luka Dončić Trade: A+++
There is not much to be said about this one. It hurt all of Laker Nation’s hearts to see both Anthony Davis and Max Christie be traded, but when you can trade for a 25-year-old superstar who already has 5 First-Team All-NBA seasons, you pull the trigger.
When a move makes the entire league scream collusion, you know you swindled the hell out of someone. This move sets the Lakers up for success this season and establishes a new face of the franchise for the next ten-plus seasons.
This trade will go down in history as one of the most shocking and lopsided trades in NBA history for the Mavericks. I’m just glad the Purple and Gold got to be on the other end of the phone.
Mark Williams Trade: B+
The Lakers once again shocked the league by pulling another ace out of their sleeve. Los Angeles landed the big man of the franchise’s future in Mark Williams. The 7’2 center from Charlotte is the exact center that both the Lakers and Luka were looking for.
In Dončić’s time in Dallas, he specifically thrived with lob threats like Derick Lively and Daniel Gafford. Nick Richards fits that stereotype to a T and will instantly reap the rewards of playing next to a player like Luka.
He’s 23, ultra-talented, and fits great with Luka; why is this trade not in the ‘A’ range? Although Williams has shown flashes of defensive excellence, he is a bit stiff on the defensive end and can struggle at times to move laterally. Additionally, for a 23-year-old, Williams has had his fair share of back injuries to this point.
Thankfully, Dan Woike of the LA Times reported that the Lakers’ medical staff has looked into his physical records, and they see no signs of any long-term concern. Both Williams and Dončić will look to make their Laker debuts Saturday against the Indiana Pacers.
