LA Lakers updated depth chart for 2024-25 NBA season after acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith

The LA Lakers traded away former starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and two second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for sharpshooting wing Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton on Sunday. The trade brings Russell back to the Nets, where he played in his lone All-Star season, while the Lakers added shooting to their lineup.

LA Lakers updated depth chart

The LA Lakers will start superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, along with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. However, with the injury of guard Gabe Vincent, a spot in the starting lineup is still open.

Considering his sharpshooting, Finney-Smith could fill the spot left by Vincent as he recovers from injury, while other Lakers could still be in play for the starting role. Among those who are in the running are Max Christie and rookie Dalton Knecht.

Here is the updated depth chart for the Lakers:

Starter 2nd 3rd Austin Rivers Gabe Vincent Quincy Olivari Max Christie Dalton Knecht Bronny James Rui Hachimura Shake Milton Jalen Hood-Schfino LeBron James Dorian Finney-Smith Anthony Davis Jaxson Hayes Christian Kaloko

The Lakers picked up a huge rotational boost with Finney-Smith, who once played alongside Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, even reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2022. Finney-Smith has been shooting a career-best 44% shooting from the 3-point line this season.

Aside from Finney-Smith, the team also got Shake Milton, a versatile guard who can provide an offensive spark to the Lakers whenever plugged on the floor. Milton averaged 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season with the Nets after playing most of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The two new Lakers players are also still in the prime of their careers as Finney-Smith is only 31 years old, while Milton is 28.

The trade not only gave the Lakers more depth and experience in the forward position but also helped them have more flexibility in their cap space, as they have saved about $15 million.

LA Lakers could still be making moves ahead of trade deadline

Considering the cap space the trade opened, the LA Lakers could still be making moves in the trade market ahead of the deadline this season. The trade did not fill the Lakers' need for depth in the frontcourt as backup center Jaxson Hayes is still recovering from an injury.

Aside from their lack of bigs in their roster, the Lakers are also short of point guard in their lineup. While they could easily move LeBron James to the point guard slot, the Lakers have shown little indication about him moving to the position this season.

Among the players that have been linked with the Lakers in the past weeks were Washington Wizards veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, and Sacramento Kings' superstar De'Aaron Fox, who is in the same Klutch Sports agency with James.

The Lakers currently sit 18-13 in the Western Conference standings when the trade occurred.