It’s well-documented that the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a historic seven-team trade five months after completing a blockbuster deal for Luka Doncic.
The Lakers, who will receive first-year contributor Adou Thiero in the reported deal, are hoping to receive an additional asset or two via a sign-and-trade involving former forward Dorian Finney-Smith. Unfortunately, the latest update surrounding Los Angeles’ sign-and trade attempt will undoubtedly disappoint the franchise.
“I’ve seen lots of outside speculation about the possibility of the Lakers receiving something for Dorian Finney-Smith in a hypothetical sign-and-trade,” Fred Katz wrote Saturday. “Unfortunately for LA, there doesn’t seem to be any traction on that — and I don’t anticipate this reality changing.”
“Because (Clint) Capela will come to Houston in a sign-and-trade and thus isn’t going into the midlevel exception, the Rockets can use the MLE to sign Finney-Smith straight up. And why would they choose to send a player or draft pick to the Lakers when they don’t have to?”
“As of now, Finney-Smith is not a part of this seven-team deal. The only players who were in the NBA last season who are part of it today are Capela, (Kevin) Durant, Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Daeqwon Plowden, and David Roddy.” After spending the second half of the 2024-25 season with Los Angeles due to a December trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the Lakers, Finney-Smith had a pivotal offseason decision to make.
Would it be wise for the Florida product to opt into his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season and return to the Lakers? Or opt out of his player option and enter free agency?
On June. 29, Finney-Smith chose the latter, and two days later, the 32-year-old signed with the Rockets. The experienced veteran wasn’t a top-scoring option with the Lakers last season, but was among the franchise’s better perimeter defenders and three-point shooters.
Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, shooting 44.2% from the field and 39.8% from deep in 43 contests with the Lakers. With a long 2025 free agency ahead, Los Angeles should be prepared to elevate its productivity after losing their 6-foot-7 forward.
