Former Laker makes season debut against old team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers saw a familiar face while playing the Houston Rockets.
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Former Laker Dorian Finney-Smith made his season debut in the Lakers’ 119-96 loss to the Rockets on Thursday night.
Finney-Smith had a quiet night against his old team. He played 13 minutes, but missed his only shot from the field. He did not record any other statistics.
He had a significant role for the Lakers last season, starting 20 of his 43 games with the team. Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and shot 39.8% from deep in LA. He played 28+ minutes in five playoff games against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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But Finney-Smith declined the Lakers’ contract offer in the offseason, instead signing a four-year $53 million deal with Houston. He is expected to be a key part of the Rockets’ rotation, bringing shooting and perimeter defense.
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The Lakers essentially swapped him for Jake LaRavia, who is a younger option on a cheaper contract. LaRavia is averaging 8.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists this season.
The Lakers acquired Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets last December as part of the D’Angelo Russell deal. LA sent Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Nets for Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
Finney-Smith has averaged 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists his NBA career. He spent seven seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before playing for the Nets, Lakers and Rockets.
The Lakers will face Finney-Smith and the Rockets two more times in the regular season. The two teams meet again on March 16 and 18.
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