Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith in a Dec. 29 trade with the Brooklyn Nets, many fans have been wanting him to move into the starting lineup. At the very least, fans want to see him get more playing time, given the fact that he appears to be the rangy 3-and-D wing the team has lacked for some time.
Since coming to the Lakers, Finney-Smith has averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds a game while shooting 36% from 3-point range. But he’s averaging a modest 23.4 minutes a game, compared to the 29.0 minutes per game he played while with the Nets earlier this season.
Head coach JJ Redick said Finney-Smith has been on a minutes restriction ever since his arrival. However, he also said the forward has been cleared to increase his playing time a bit.
JJ Redick says Dorian Finney-Smith has been on a minutes restriction because of his ankle since they acquired him, but has been cleared to add 4-5 minutes to his nightly total.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 22, 2025
Finney-Smith may not be an elite defender, but at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, he has the size to bother opposing wings defensively, and he also tends to get deflections and muck things up on that end of the floor. He has also been a reliable 3-point shooter, which is another skill set Los Angeles has lacked.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: JJ Redick on why Dorian Finney-Smith hasn’t gotten heavy minutes
JJ Redick, a veteran NBA player known for his sharpshooting and basketball IQ, recently shared his thoughts on why Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith hasn’t received heavy minutes despite his solid performances.
In an interview with a local sports radio station, Redick explained that Finney-Smith’s lack of playing time can be attributed to the team’s deep roster and the presence of other key players in the rotation.
“Dorian is a great player and brings a lot to the table, but the Mavericks have a lot of depth at the forward position with players like Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, and Josh Richardson getting significant minutes,” Redick said. “It’s just a matter of finding the right balance and matchups for each game.”
Redick also mentioned that Finney-Smith’s versatility and defensive prowess make him a valuable asset for the team, even if he isn’t getting as many minutes as some fans would like.
“Dorian’s ability to guard multiple positions and knock down shots makes him a key contributor, even in limited minutes,” Redick added. “It’s all about maximizing his strengths and finding ways to utilize him effectively on the court.”
While Finney-Smith may not be playing as much as some fans would hope, Redick’s insights shed light on the team’s strategy and the importance of having a deep rotation in the NBA. It’s clear that Finney-Smith’s time will come, and when it does, he’ll be ready to make a significant impact for the Mavericks.
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JJ Redick, Dorian Finney-Smith, NBA, minutes, playing time, Dallas Mavericks, basketball, player rotation, bench player, starting lineup, team dynamics
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