John Jones-Imagn Images

Latest Lakers Acquisition Takes Shots at Former Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Mariano | Last updated Dec 31, 2024 11:30 AM ET

LeBron James will take on a very familiar team when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year's Eve.

The Lakers, who are coming off back-to-back wins, look to put an end to the Cavaliers' seven-game winning streak.

Barring any constraints from his medical examination, new acquisition Dorian Finney-Smith is expected to make his debut for the Lakers. He was acquired in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, along with Shake Milton. The Nets received D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three future second-round picks.

The 31-year-old Finney-Smith didn't hide his positive outlook with the Lakers, while also taking shots at the Nets.

“If you play in Brooklyn, you know what I mean, you don’t want to be the little brother in the city," said the veteran forward, as quoted by New York Post's Stefan Bondy on X.

"I’m finally the big brother. It feels good.”

Dorian Finney Smith tells reporters in his first day with the Lakers:

“If you play in Brooklyn, you know what I mean. You don’t want to be the little brother in the city. So I’m finally the big brother. It feels good.”
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) December 31, 2024

It's not a secret that the Nets have always played second fiddle to the New York Knicks in the Big Apple.

Lakers coach JJ Redick already said Finney-Smith will come off the bench. But the former Florida standout stressed that he's in a much better situation now.

"In Brooklyn, we were just fighting to get in the playoffs," said Finney-Smith in a video posted by the Lakers. "Here, we’re trying to win the championship. So it’s a different approach, different energy, all around.

"It’s tough, especially coming from a place where you don’t know the direction of the direction. And now, I know the direction. Everybody wants to win here."

Finney-Smith will shore up the Lakers' porous defense, which has been a problem for them. He's only played 20 games this year, averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds.

The Lakers currently hold an 18-13 record, including 10-4 at home.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: