There have been trade rumors concerning the Los Angeles Lakers in recent weeks. Mainly, people have been speculating the team will look to trade for a star guard such as the Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine or Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks.
But sometimes rumors are nothing more than a smokescreen for a team’s real intentions on the open market. The trade deadline is Feb. 8, 2024, and much can change before then. Certainly, new rumors will arise over the next several weeks.
One new rumor involves the Lakers going after Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets.
Via Heavy Sports:
“Maybe you … go for Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith,” The Athletic’s Jovan Buha said on the “Hoops Tonight” podcast on Dec. 26. “Those are two guys the Lakers have had interest in dating back to last offseason and even last trade deadline. So I know that those are two guys that they would have interest in bringing in.”
O’Neale is a very solid 3-and-D wing who stands 6 feet, 6 inches and weighs 226 pounds. He is shooting 39.2% from 3-point range and averaging 0.7 steals and 0.8 blocks in 26.2 minutes a game this season.
Finney-Smith, meanwhile, is hitting 44.8% of his 3-point attempts, and at 6 feet, 7 inches and 220 pounds, he can play both the 3 and 4 spots.