The LA Lakers extended their championship window with a stunning mid-season trade for Luka Doncic.
The trade for Luka Doncic was a remarkable ‘gift’ for the LA Lakers. It also gave them a younger star to build around, having been reliant on Anthony Davis, 32, and LeBron James, 40.
The Lakers immediately tried to partner Doncic up with a younger player, trading for the Charlotte Hornets’ Mark Williams.
This deal collapsed after 48 hours with the Lakers choosing to rescind the trade on health grounds and send Williams back to Charlotte.
Another trade went through earlier, involving a player nursing an injury that now requires surgery.
The LA Lakers’ first trade of the season was a move for Dorian Finney-Smith, that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets, for a second time.
Finney-Smith was on a minutes restriction due to injury, and through the season he was managed carefully by head coach JJ Redick.
Now the full extent of the problem has been made clear, with Finney-Smith undergoing surgery.
ESPN report Finney-Smith has had surgery on his left ankle, with the injury impacting him for ‘the past several seasons’.
The surgery is designed to ensure Finney-Smith is now able to play ‘pain-free’. It was also noted that the ankle injury led to calf problems.
Despite this, Finney-Smith was able to average 28.9 minutes per game in the regular season for the Lakers.
In the playoffs the team’s tight rotation meant Finney-Smith averaged 34.2 minutes per game in their 4-1 series loss to the Timberwolves.
The Lakers traded for Finney-Smith knowing about the injury – but their assessment was the threshold of injury was one they could manage.
This surgery is designed to fix the issue long-term. The details of the Mark Williams medical have not been made public – but it was clearly an issue the Lakers did not feel comfortable proceeding with in the big picture.
Dorian Finney-Smith enters the final year of his $15.4 million contract. He is extension eligible and can opt out of his deal. He has until June 29 to make his decision.
Despite the ankle surgery, Finney-Smith is expected to be fully available for training camp.
As a player the Lakers traded for a few months ago, who is highly valued by JJ Redick, and star teammate Luka Doncic, the franchise think highly of him.
Finney-Smith and Doncic were teammates on the Dallas Mavericks, and he immediately helped the Slovenian settle in LA.
With Doncic expected to make a decision on his future in August, expect the Lakers to do all they can to get his close pal Finney-Smith around.
