The Los Angeles Lakers have finally made a move, and it’s a big one. Dorian Finney-Smith, with his 6-foot-7 frame and nearly seven-foot wingspan, is exactly the type of player they need. He’s been red hot from three this season, but it’s his defensive versatility that really stands out.

Finney-Smith can guard multiple positions, and his size and athleticism make him a serious asset on that end of the floor. The Lakers now have a legit 3-and-D wing to add to their lineup, and you’ve got to think this is the boost they’ve been waiting for.

DFS might be known for his defensive grit, but when it came time to finally chat with LeBron James, he didn’t go straight into the game talk. Instead, he took a different route.

“I just have to pull that shade down and ask him ‘give me some of those shoes.’ I can finally ask for some of that gear,” Dorian Finney-Smith shared with a laugh. “We never know when he’s going to hang it up. It was fun to be able to ask him for something, knowing I ain’t got to compete against him tomorrow.”

For nearly a decade, Finney-Smith has been guarding James, but that doesn’t mean they were friendly rivals. In fact, he admits it wasn’t until now that he spoke up. “This is probably the most I ever said something to him. I’ve been guarding him for nine years, but I’m just not too friendly on the court,” Finney-Smith confessed on Monday in Los Angeles.

Even though the two now share a locker room, the vibe is a little different. Finney-Smith wanted gear, not a game plan.

James, being the legend that he is, didn’t hesitate to oblige. “He said he got me. The hard part out the way. I asked. I broke the glass,” said the 31-year-old forward.

Dorian Finney-Smith is excited to finally fight for a championship

Dorian Finney-Smith is ready for a new chapter with the Lakers, and his excitement is palpable. In a recent conversation, Finney-Smith shared his eagerness to get back on the court, especially with the chance to play for a team with championship aspirations.

“Um, excited, you know?” Finney-Smith said with a smile. “Back to playing some meaningful basketball. It’s been a while, but you know, I’m excited, especially if I can go tomorrow.”

It’s easy to see why Finney-Smith is fired up. He’s a player who thrives on doing the little things that lead to winning, but after being on teams where victories were scarce, it’s been tough. His new situation with the Lakers? A whole different ballgame!

“It’s fun, man. Just the opportunity to play for, you know, a championship,” Finney-Smith explained. “Not even just playoffs, you know. You know, Brooklyn, we were just fighting and getting to the playoffs here. We’re trying to win the championship.”

With the Brooklyn Nets, the mission was about making the playoffs. But with the Lakers, the focus is clear: it’s all about the title.

The shift in energy and expectations is something Finney-Smith is embracing fully.

“It’s a different approach, different energy, you know, all around,” he said. “So it’s tough, especially, you know, coming from, again, a place where you don’t know the direction of the organization and now we know the, you know, I know the direction—everybody wants to win here, and now we’re trying to do amazing things here. So I’m excited.”

With this renewed sense of purpose and a fresh opportunity to contend for a championship, Dorian Finney-Smith is more than ready to contribute to the Lakers’ push for greatness.