LA Lakers trade rumor: Insider identifies $41.9 million Brooklyn Nets duo as potential targets for LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly trying to get two key Brooklyn Nets players under their franchise as the NBA trade deadline approaches. With the team currently holding a playoff spot in the Western Conference, Lakers management appears eager to make their roster stronger around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. According to insider Jovan Buha, the Lakers have their eyes on Nets’ wings Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, whose combined contracts total approximately $41.9 million.
As the February 6 trade deadline draws closer, the Brooklyn Nets have become one of the league’s most active sellers. The franchise has already begun putting talented players up for trade. Their most recently trade was that of Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors for expiring contracts and draft capital. Johnson and Finney-Smith are the next names expected to generate significant trade interest. “Brooklyn is expected to make wings Cam Johnson ($22.5 million but with a likely cap hit of $27 million) and Dorian Finney-Smith ($14.9 million) available — and much sooner than the Feb. 6 deadline. Both have been tied to the Lakers for months. The Lakers have been interested in Finney-Smith for at least a couple of years,” Buha reported.
The Lakers’ desire for roster upgrades follows an offseason where no major moves were made. This has placed pressure on General Manager Rob Pelinka to strengthen the team as they prepare for a highly competitive playoff push.

Of the two trade targets, Cam Johnson stands out as a potentially game-changing addition. Currently in the midst of a career-best season, Johnson is averaging 18.6 points per game and shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc. His role as a three-and-D wing would provide much-needed floor spacing for LeBron and Davis, offering them a reliable kick-out option on the perimeter. Johnson’s shooting efficiency would be a significant asset for a Lakers team that has struggled with consistent offensive production.
Dorian Finney-Smith offers a different but equally valuable defensive skill set. He’s averaging 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season while shooting an impressive 45.0 percent from three on six attempts per game. His ability to guard multiple positions makes him a key defensive asset. Finney-Smith’s experience playing alongside star talent like Luka Doncic during his time with the Dallas Mavericks has demonstrated his ability to thrive in supporting roles.
The potential addition of Johnson and Finney-Smith is similar to the strategy that helped the Lakers secure the 2020 NBA Championship. That title run was built on surrounding LeBron and Davis with talented support players. The pursuit of these two Brooklyn wings signals a return to that successful blueprint. While Johnson and Finney-Smith may not be the flashiest names on the trade market, they represent the type of players who can help the Lakers compete in a stacked Western Conference.
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NBA fans and media have taken notice of the Lakers’ rumored interest in the Brooklyn duo. A tweet from NBACentral highlighted the growing buzz, stating, “Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith are names to watch for the Lakers, per @jovanbuha.” With the trade deadline approaching, speculation will only continue to grow about whether the Lakers can pull off a deal to land one or both of these impact players.