Free agency has not gotten off to a rip-roaring start for the Lakers. On Sunday, the team learned that LeBron James would be opting in to the final year and $52 million of his current contract with the team, news that came with an odd caveat from James' agent, Rich Paul, intimating that James could look to end his career elsewhere in free agency next summer.
The Lakers also got news that wing Dorian Finney-Smith, acquired from the Nets in a trade during the season, is opting out of the final year and $15 million of his contract, which was not entirely unexpected. But what was unexpected was news that Finney-Smith would be open to leaving the Lakers to find a new contract.
And in a worst-case scenario, one team that is expected to bring a determined pursuit to DFS's free agency is Houston, the No. 2 team in the Western Conferece last season.
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
That's according to league reporter Jake Fischer and fellow veteran Marc Stein.
Wrote Fischer on Twitter/X: "The Houston Rockets have emerged as a viable free agent landing spot for Dorian Finney-Smith, league sources tell @TheSteinLine and me, after the veteran declined his $15.4 million player option for 2025-26 with the Lakers today."
Houston has had a major offseason already, having acquired Kevin Durant in a trade before last week's draft. The team shipped out tough, defensive-minded forward Dillon Brooks to Phoenix in that deal, and is likely targeting Finney-Smith to replace him.
Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points and 39.8% 3-point shooting with the Lakers in 43 games after the trade. He averaged 28.8 minutes.
The Lakers have the right to negotiate with Finney-Smith before anyone else. Free agency officially opens on Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET.