Dorian Finney-Smith Stats Tonight: How did the forward fare on his Lakers debut? (Dec. 31)

Newly-acquired Dorian Finney-Smith suited up for the LA Lakers for the first time after being traded. He came off the bench and finished with two points, two rebounds, and two assists in 20 minutes of action.

The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers visited the Lakers on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena and cruised to a 122-110 victory. Cleveland (29-4) extended their current winning streak to eight games. The Lakers are now 18-14 this season and dropped to a solo seventh in the competitive Western Conference.

Before the loss on Tuesday, the Lakers had won five of their last six games, and they had hoped Finney-Smith could contribute immediately. He finished with less-than-stellar numbers, but he is the lone Laker with a positive plus-minus (+7) in the 12-point loss.

On Sunday, the Lakers acquired Finney-Smith and Shake Milton in exchange for Brooklyn Nets' D'Angelo Russel, Maxwell Lewis, and three future second-round draft picks (2027, 2030 and 2031). Finney-Smith, 31, averaged 10.4 points on 45.9% shooting (43.5% from the 3-point line), 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20 games for Brooklyn.

The 6-foot-7 forward is in his ninth season and makes $14.9 million this year. He has a combined total of 35 playoff games with the Nets and Dallas Mavericks.

Dorian Finney-Smith's stats in his LA Lakers debut

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	FG	3-PT FG	FT	+/-
Dorian Finney-Smith	2	2	2	0	0	0	1-4	0-2	0-0	7

Dorian Finney-Smith speaks about the trade

Dorian Finney-Smith's new team is undoubtedly an upgrade. His previous team, the Brooklyn Nets, owns the seventh-worst record in the league (12-20). He is now part of an LA Lakers squad with championship aspirations.

Dorian Finney-Smith's debut with the LA Lakers (Image Source: Imagn)

After spending his first day with his new team on Monday, Finney-Smith faced the media, and he was asked about the trade.

"It's fun, man," Finney-Smith. "Just the opportunity to play for a championship. Not even just playoffs. In Brooklyn, we were just fighting to get in the playoffs. Here, we're trying to win the championship. So it's a different approach, different energy, all around."

For Redick and the Lakers, Finney-Smith gives them a boost defensively, as the forward can guard multiple positions in addition to his offensive capabilities.

"Dorian gives us another defender and he's a guy that has guarded multiple positions throughout his career," Redick said. "He's worked to become an elite spot-up, catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter. So, just excited to have him."

While Finney-Smith's position has been defined by Redick, the forward's versatility would surely help the Lakers as they gear for a deep playoff run.