22 articles
HOU • Forward • #17
22 days ago
Finney-Smith underwent ankle surgery in early June, and during media day in late September, Udoka said the veteran forward would likely miss the start of the regular season. Based on Tuesday’s update, it’s unknown when Finney-Smith will be deemed healthy enough to play. Consider him out indefinitely, and there’s no need to stash DFS in an IL+ slot.
Source: Danielle Lerner
HOU • Forward • #17
about 1 month ago
Finney-Smith, who agreed to a four-year deal worth $53 million in July, underwent surgery on his ankle in early June. When asked about the veteran forward’s status for the upcoming season, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said DFS probably would not be available when the team opens the regular season on October 21. Finney-Smith has only partially participated in early practices, limited to non-contact activity. On Monday, he said that he’s been running and should be back “soon.” However, there’s no timeline on a return to action for Finney-Smith, who was believed to be in contention for a place in the starting lineup. With Fred VanVleet (knee) possibly out for the entire season, Houston has two starting spots to fill during training camp.
Source: RocketsWire
HOU • Forward • #17
5 months ago
Just a day after declining his player option with the Lakers, Finney-Smith has agreed to a deal with the Rockets. Houston is making a major move to improve its wing depth with DFS, who can make threes and play adequate defense. The 32-year-old small forward shot a career-high 41 percent from behind the three-point line last year. Finney-Smith is cashing in with a long-term deal at slightly less per year than his player option with the Lakers.
Source: Shams Charania
HOU • Forward • #17
5 months ago
Just a day after declining his player option with the Lakers, Finney-Smith has agreed to a deal with the Rockets. Houston is making a major move to improve its wing depth with DFS, who can make threes and play adequate defense. The 32-year-old small forward shot a career-high 41 percent from behind the three-point line last year. Finney-Smith is cashing in with a long-term deal at slightly less per year than his player option with the Lakers.
Source: Shams Charania
LAL • Forward • #17
5 months ago
If activated, Finney-Smith’s option would have paid him $15.4 million next season. Instead, he’ll hit the open market and should not lack suitors among teams with serious postseason ambitions. According to Charania, a return to the Lakers is not off the table for Finney-Smith despite Sunday’s development. DFS appeared in 63 games for the Nets and Lakers last season, with the latter acquiring him from the former in late December. Finney-Smith underwent ankle surgery in mid-June, but he is expected to be available for the start of training camp.
Source: Shams Charania
LAL • Forward • #17
5 months ago
Finney-Smith dealt with a lingering ankle issue that he mostly played through down the stretch of the season. The 32-year-old small forward is expected to be able to participate in training camp after successful surgery. Finney-Smith holds a player option to return to the Lakers for $15,378,480. It’s possible that he declines the option and becomes a free agent.
Source: Dave McMenamin
LAL • Forward • #17
7 months ago
Finney-Smith is among the many Lakers’ rotation players who will sit out Sunday’s regular-season finale, which has no impact on the team’s playoff seeding. Markieff Morris, who is not in the regular rotation, could play legitimate minutes in Portland. However, he should not be added to rosters in active fantasy leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Forward • #17
7 months ago
Friday’s victory secured the three-seed in the West for the Lakers, which would mean a second-round matchup with Houston if both teams got out of the first round. For that reason, Finney-Smith’s last two performances against the Rockets were notable. After shooting 6-of-11 from three in the Lakers’ March 31 win over Houston, he was 6-of-8 on Friday. From a fantasy standpoint, Finney-Smith provided the three-pointers and steals on Friday that many managers expect from him. We’ll see if he plays against Portland on Sunday, as nothing will be on the line for the Lakers.
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Finney-Smith came off the bench Monday against the Rockets, but played 32 minutes in the Lakers’ victory. The 31-year-old small forward was feeling it and made 6-of-11 three-point attempts. Finney-Smith has been regularly playing over 30 minutes of late and should be rostered in deeper formats as long as that continues.
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
DFS will start in place of Hachimura, who is sitting out the second night of the Lakers’ back-to-back after starting on Wednesday. DFS started the game before that for the Lakers and had 14 points, seven rebounds and four three-pointers in 36 minutes.
Source: Los Angeles Lakers
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Finney-Smith has made at least three three-pointers in three of his last four outings, with Saturday’s loss to the Bulls being the exception. Being a starter raises his fantasy ceiling, especially with Rui Hachimura still under a minutes restriction. Hachimura played 24 minutes on Monday, finishing with five points, three rebounds and one steal. Whether or not JJ Redick sticks with this lineup for the rest of the fantasy season remains to be seen, but deep-league managers who have Finney-Smith rostered should hold onto him for now.
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
After sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Bucks, Finney-Smith and Vanderbilt will return to the Lakers’ rotation. Their returns mean Markieff Morris will likely fall out of the rotation entirely, which does not impact fantasy basketball.
Source: Ryan Ward
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Both forwards are expected to be back after missing Thursday’s game against Milwaukee. The Lakers were without six key rotation pieces for that game on the second night of a back-to-back. Markieff Morris should be bumped back out of the rotation with DFS and Vanderbilt expected back.
Source: Khobi Price
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Both forwards were initially doubtful, so it isn’t surprising that they’ve been ruled out. Markieff Morris will get the start in place of DFS, but Cam Reddish should also make a return to the rotation for the shorthanded Lakers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Both forwards are expected to be sidelined for the second leg of the Lakers’ back-to-back. Cam Reddish and Markieff Morris are both candidates to return to the rotation, but at this point, everyone available for the Lakers should play a ton of minutes.
Source: Khobi Price
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Finney-Smith returned to the Lakers’ lineup on Sunday after sitting out Friday’s loss to the Nuggets, bumping Jarred Vanderbilt (three rebounds in 10 minutes) to the bench. The veteran forward was solid in his 35 minutes, providing decent value in the rebound, assist and three-point categories. However, even with LeBron James (groin) sidelined, Finney-Smith is a deep-league player at best.
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Both players were upgraded to probable earlier in the day after sitting out on Friday. Jordan Goodwin and Jarred Vanderbilt will lose out on minutes with DFS and Vincent back in the lineup.
Source: https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2025-03-16_01PM.pdf
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Finney-Smith and Vincent were initially doubtful for Friday’s game, so the status downgrades are unsurprising. Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt will take on more prominent positions within the Lakers’ rotation, likely as starters. Luka Doncic and LeBron James are also out for Friday’s game.
Source: Vinny Benedetto
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Finney-Smith and Vincent, who started Thursday’s loss to the Bucks, are trending toward not playing for injury management reasons. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic also out, the Lakers will be limited on the wings. Austin Reaves will shoulder a significant offensive workload, while Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt may move into the starting lineup. Knecht will be worth streaming in deep leagues.
Source: Jovan Buha
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
DFS is back after missing Monday’s game against Brooklyn. With Rui Hachimura still out, the rest of the lineup will remain the same. Dalton Knecht will be the odd man out that will return to the bench, but he should still play a significant role.
Source: NBA.com Lineups
LAL • Forward • #17
8 months ago
Finney-Smith has added importance to the Lakers, as LeBron James (groin) is expected to miss 1-2 weeks. If he’s unable to play against the Nets, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and Jordan Goodwin will all be in the mix for additional minutes. Knecht offers the highest offensive ceiling, but Vanderbilt and Goodwin are superior defenders.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Forward • #17
9 months ago
With Rui Hachimura (knee) out, Finney-Smith made his seventh start as a Laker on Friday. The production was modest, but he’ll have a few more opportunities to start. Following the win, Lakers coach JJ Redick said Hachimura will be re-evaluated in about one week. Finney-Smith may get at least three more starts, beginning with Sunday’s rematch with the Clippers. So, deep-league managers needing to roll the dice for three-pointers and steals should consider streaming DFS.