Dorian Finney-Smith has quietly established himself as one of the NBA’s premier “3-and-D” players. Currently suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025, Finney-Smith’s journey from going undrafted to becoming a valuable NBA contributor showcases his resilience and work ethic.
Known for his defensive versatility and improved three-point shooting, Finney-Smith has transformed himself from a fringe roster player to a key rotation piece for championship contenders.
His recent trade to the Lakers in December 2024 marked a significant shift in his career trajectory, moving from a rebuilding Brooklyn Nets team to a title contender. Lakers coach JJ Redick, who previously played alongside Finney-Smith in Dallas, specifically highlighted his defensive abilities and catch-and-shoot prowess as valuable additions to the team’s championship aspirations. As Finney-Smith continues to make an impact with the Lakers, let’s take a comprehensive look at his life, career, and financial standing in 2025.
Dorian Finney-Smith’s Biography
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dorian Lawrence Finney-Smith |
| Nickname | “Doe Doe” |
| Date of Birth | May 4, 1993 |
| Age | 31 years (as of April 2025) |
| Birthplace | Portsmouth, Virginia, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Education | Virginia Tech (2011-2012), University of Florida (2013-2016) |
| Position | Small Forward / Power Forward |
| NBA Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Jersey Number | 17 |
| Turned Pro | 2016 (Undrafted) |
| Career Earnings | $56,947,056 |
| Current Salary | $14,386,320 |
Early Career
Dorian Finney-Smith’s basketball journey began in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he attended I.C. Norcom High School. His high school career was marked by tremendous success both individually and collectively. As a junior during the 2009-10 season, Finney-Smith showcased his all-around game by averaging an impressive 19.7 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks per game.
His senior year proved even more fruitful as he led I.C. Norcom to back-to-back Group AAA state championships. During this pivotal final high school season, Finney-Smith averaged 18 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. His dominance was particularly evident in the state championship game, where he recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks.
These performances earned him recognition as a two-time VHSL Class AAA Player of the Year and first-team selections for all-state, all-region, All-Tidewater, and all-district honors. He was also named All-Tidewater player of the year as a junior and co-player of the year as a senior.
After his decorated high school career, Finney-Smith committed to Virginia Tech in September 2010, officially signing his National Letter of Intent with the Hokies in December of that year. At Virginia Tech during the 2011-12 season, he immediately made an impact, appearing in all 33 games and starting 30 of them.
As a freshman, he averaged 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, showing early signs of his rebounding prowess that would become a hallmark of his playing style. His consistent performance earned him a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team.
Despite his successful freshman campaign, Finney-Smith decided to transfer to the University of Florida in 2012. NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out the 2012-13 season, but he returned to the court for the 2013-14 season with renewed purpose. The redshirt sophomore made an immediate impact for the Gators, earning SEC Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2014.
This distinguished him as only the second Florida player to win this award, joining Chris Richard who received it in 2007. Additionally, Finney-Smith’s academic commitment was recognized when he earned a place on the 2014 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
In his junior and senior seasons at Florida, Finney-Smith elevated his game further. He led the Gators in rebounding for all three seasons he played and topped the team in scoring during both his junior (2014-15) and senior (2015-16) campaigns.
His senior season was particularly outstanding, as he averaged 14.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. His consistency was evident as he recorded eight double-doubles, eight 20-point games, and ten double-figure rebounding games during his final collegiate season.
Professional Career
Dorian Finney-Smith’s professional journey began with disappointment when he went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. However, this setback didn’t deter him, as he quickly signed a three-year, $2.5 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks on July 8, 2016.
His rookie season saw him exceed expectations for an undrafted player, as he appeared in 81 games, starting 35 of them. Though his statistics were modest—averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game—he demonstrated the defensive tenacity and work ethic that would become his calling card.
Finney-Smith’s sophomore campaign was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 21 games during the 2017-18 season. He missed significant time due to knee and quad issues, including a stretch of 27 consecutive games from November to January. Despite these setbacks, he still managed to average 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in his limited playing time.
The 2018-19 season marked a turning point in Finney-Smith’s development. He appeared in 81 games, increasing his production to 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 31.1% from three-point range. His consistent improvement and reliability led the Mavericks to extend him a qualifying offer of $1,931,189 in June 2019, making him a restricted free agent. The team’s faith in his development was affirmed when they re-signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract on July 11, 2019.
With financial security came enhanced performance. During the 2019-20 season, Finney-Smith established himself as a regular starter, beginning 68 of his 71 appearances. His offensive game expanded as he averaged 9.5 points while shooting a much-improved 37.6% from beyond the arc.
His rebounding continued to be a strength as he pulled down 5.7 boards per game. This season solidified his reputation as a valuable “3-and-D” player who could guard multiple positions effectively while spacing the floor on offense.
The 2020-21 season saw further improvement, with Finney-Smith starting all 60 games he played while averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. His three-point shooting remained strong at 39.4%, making him an increasingly reliable floor spacer for Luka Dončić and the Mavericks’ offense.
During this season, Finney-Smith displayed remarkable resilience when he faced personal challenges during the Dallas snowstorm in February 2021. With his pregnant fiancée just five weeks from her due date and temperatures in his house plummeting into the 40s, he managed to care for his family while maintaining his professional obligations.
The 2021-22 season represented Finney-Smith’s best statistical campaign with Dallas, as he averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting a career-best 39.5% from three-point range. His consistency and development were rewarded on February 10, 2022, when he signed a four-year, $55.6 million contract extension with the Mavericks. This substantial investment reflected the organization’s confidence in his continued growth and value to the team.
Despite the long-term commitment, Finney-Smith’s tenure with Dallas came to an unexpected end on February 6, 2023, when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Spencer Dinwiddie and draft considerations in exchange for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. His time with the Nets was marked by consistent play but in a rebuilding context that limited his team success.
A new chapter began on December 29, 2024, when Finney-Smith was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with Shake Milton in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and several future second-round draft picks.
Upon joining the Lakers, Finney-Smith immediately recognized the shift in competitive context, noting, “In Brooklyn, we were just fighting to get in the playoffs. Here, we’re trying to win the championship. So it’s a different approach, different energy, all around.”
Dorian Finney-Smith’s Net Worth Details
Dorian Finney-Smith’s net worth is estimated to be between $12 million and $70 million as of 2025.
Contract
Dorian Finney-Smith is currently playing under a four-year, $55,560,960 contract that he originally signed with the Dallas Mavericks on February 10, 2022. This contract is fully guaranteed and features an average annual salary of $13,890,240. The deal includes a player option for the 2025-26 season worth $15,378,480, giving Finney-Smith control over the final year of his contract.
His current contract also includes a 5% trade bonus that was activated when he was traded from Dallas to Brooklyn, resulting in additional cash compensation of $1,613,543. This contract represents a significant increase from his previous three-year, $12 million deal signed in 2019, reflecting his development and increased value in the league.
Salary
For the 2024-25 NBA season, Finney-Smith is earning a base salary of $14,386,320 while carrying a cap hit of $14,924,167. The difference between these figures stems from his trade bonus being prorated across the remaining years of his contract.
His cap hit accounts for approximately 10.62% of the NBA’s salary cap for the 2024-25 season, making him a moderately expensive but reasonably valued player given his contributions. If he exercises his player option for the 2025-26 season, he will earn $15,378,480, which would represent approximately 9.94% of the projected salary cap for that season.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Base Salary | Cumulative Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Dallas Mavericks | $543,471 | $543,471 |
| 2017-18 | Dallas Mavericks | $1,312,611 | $1,856,082 |
| 2018-19 | Dallas Mavericks | $1,544,951 | $3,401,033 |
| 2019-20 | Dallas Mavericks | $3,750,000 | $7,151,033 |
| 2020-21 | Dallas Mavericks | $4,000,000 | $11,151,033 |
| 2021-22 | Dallas Mavericks | $4,000,000 | $15,151,033 |
| 2022-23 | Dallas/Brooklyn | $4,419,103 | $19,570,136 |
| 2022-23 | Retained Salary | $9,596,440 | $29,166,576 |
| 2023-24 | Brooklyn Nets | $13,394,160 | $42,560,736 |
| 2024-25 | Brooklyn/Lakers | $8,681,400 | $51,242,136 |
| 2024-25 | Retained Salary | $5,704,920 | $56,947,056 |
| 2025-26 | Lakers (Player Option) | $15,378,480 | $72,325,536 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | DAL | 81 | 35 | 20.5 | 37.2 | 29.3 | 75.4 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 4.4 |
| 2017-18 | DAL | 21 | 13 | 21.1 | 38.0 | 29.9 | 73.3 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 5.9 |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 81 | 26 | 24.0 | 43.2 | 31.1 | 70.9 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 7.5 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 71 | 68 | 29.3 | 46.6 | 37.6 | 72.2 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 9.5 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 60 | 60 | 31.6 | 47.2 | 39.4 | 75.6 | 5.4 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 9.8 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 80 | 80 | 33.0 | 47.1 | 39.5 | 67.5 | 4.7 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 11.0 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 40 | 40 | 32.2 | 41.6 | 35.5 | – | 4.7 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 9.1 |
| 2022-23 | BKN | 26 | 26 | 27.7 | 35.1 | 30.6 | – | 4.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 6.3 |
| 2023-24 | BKN | 68 | 56 | 28.4 | 42.1 | 34.8 | – | 4.9 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.2 |
| 2024-25 | BKN | 20 | 20 | 29.0 | 45.9 | 43.5 | – | 4.6 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 10.4 |
| 2024-25 | LAL | 28 | 12 | 27.7 | 41.8 | 34.5 | – | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 8.4 |
| Career | 576 | 436 | 27.9 | 43.5 | 35.8 | 73.0 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.2 |
FAQs
1. Where was Dorian Finney-Smith born and what is his early basketball background?
Finney-Smith was born on May 4, 1993, in Portsmouth, Virginia. He played high school basketball at I.C. Norcom High and stood out as a versatile forward before heading to college.
2. Which colleges did Finney-Smith attend and what were his achievements there?
Finney-Smith played one season at Virginia Tech, earning ACC All-Freshman honors, then transferred to Florida, where he was SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2014 and a key starter.
3. When did Finney-Smith enter the NBA and which team signed him?
Finney-Smith went undrafted in 2016 but signed with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent. He quickly worked his way up from a two-way contract to become a regular starter and defensive anchor.
4. What is Finney-Smith’s primary position and what are his physical attributes?
He plays small forward and power forward, standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 220 pounds. His wingspan and athleticism help him guard multiple positions.
5. What notable achievements and stats has Finney-Smith recorded in the NBA?
Finney-Smith has established himself as a top defender and reliable three-point shooter, averaging 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in over 500 career contests.
6. With which other NBA team has Finney-Smith played, and what was the trade?
Finney-Smith was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023 as part of the package for Kyrie Irving. He has continued to contribute as a key role player in Brooklyn’s rotation.
7. What are Finney-Smith’s strengths and playing style?
He is known for tough perimeter defense, versatility on both ends of the floor, and the ability to hit spot-up threes. Coaches praise his effort, basketball IQ, and leadership in the locker room.
8. What injuries has Finney-Smith faced during his NBA career?
Finney-Smith missed time in 2021 and 2024 due to minor knee and ankle injuries. His commitment to recovery and conditioning has allowed him to remain a consistent presence in the league.
9. What is Finney-Smith’s contract status and career outlook?
He signed a four-year, $55.6 million extension with Dallas in 2022. Now with Brooklyn, Finney-Smith is seen as a valuable veteran who provides defense, energy, and steady offense.
10. What is Finney-Smith’s reputation among teammates and coaches?
Finney-Smith is respected for his work ethic, positive attitude, and selflessness on and off the court. Teammates often credit his leadership and ability to elevate team defense and chemistry.
