Dorian

Finney-Smith

DFS suited up for his new team for the first time and wasn’t able to make much of an impact for fantasy managers. He logged 20 minutes in his debut, which can be seen as a positive, since his role could certainly increase as he gets acclimated to the team. Shake Milton (6 points, 2 threes) played 10 minutes off the bench, and while he’s a nice depth point guard for them to have, he isn’t going to be worth rostering. DFS didn’t have a great first game, but he is worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

Milton and DFS were just acquired in the D’Angelo Russell trade, but they’ll apparently be given playing time immediately. Finney-Smith will come off the bench according to Woike, but it’s unclear what the Lakers’ rotations will look like moving forward.

Finney-Smith’s name has come up in trade rumors, and with the Nets rebuilding, it’s no surprise that he is on the move. He gives the Lakers a credible 3-and-D wing, which was an area of need for this roster. However, fantasy managers should not expect Finney-Smith’s value to jump much, if at all. The trade also gives the Lakers some salary cap/luxury tax relief, saving the team $15 million. In Brooklyn, Finney-Smith’s exit opens things up for Noah Clowney, who is worth adding since he’s likely to play starters’ minutes moving forward.

The writing has been on the wall for Russell in Los Angeles for some time. He struggled mightily in last year’s playoffs and those struggles carried over into this season. Russell didn’t mesh well with new Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who wasted little time in removing him from the starting lineup. The Lakers reportedly beat out several other contenders to acquire Finney-Smith, who is averaging a career-high 2.4 3-pointers and shooting a career-high 43.5 percent from 3-point range, by sending multiple draft picks along with Russell to Brooklyn.

Finney-Smith was back in the lineup after missing Thursday’s win over the Bucks with a left calf contusion. He didn’t shoot the ball well, but the veteran forward did grab nine rebounds. Noah Clowney, who started for Finney-Smith on Thursday, played 24 minutes against the Spurs before his ejection during the fourth quarter. Finney-Smith’s name has come up in trade rumors, as he has the skill set many playoff-bound teams can use.

Milton and Wilson will replace Ben Simmons and Cam Johnson in the starting lineup, with the latter two sidelined for this game. DFS will also return to the starting lineup after missing their last three games, which will send Noah Clowney back to the bench.

Finney-Smith is back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Bucks. DFS’s return means Noah Clowney will head to the bench, and his fantasy value will significantly decrease. Clowney does not have to be held in most leagues.

DFS said he expected to play on Thursday before being ruled out and his status for Friday is up in the air. Noah Clowney will likely start and provide solid production if DFS misses a fourth consecutive contest.

Finney-Smith may have said Thursday afternoon that he planned to play, but the Nets have decided otherwise. Noah Clowney will remain in the starting lineup, and he is worth streaming until DFS returns.

DFS appears to be set to return from a two-game layoff on Thursday. The Nets forward should reclaim his role as a starter ahead of the weekend should he suit up.