The Los Angeles Lakers had very clear needs throughout the entire last offseason and when the 2024-25 season began. They needed another big man that could both play with Anthony Davis and back him up, and they needed more wing depth. The latter was especially true with Jarred Vanderbilt having such an uncertain status.
General manager Rob Pelinka said he would need about 30 games to truly evaluate what the team needs most, but many of the rumors suggested it would be a big man like Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards. When that 30-game mark came and went, it was Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith that ultimately ended up being the target.