The Los Angeles Lakers have a busy summer ahead of them and could lose at least one key free agent in the process.
LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million player option, the first time he has done so in nine contracts that included a player option over the course of his career. The oddity of that aside, James sent a clear message to the franchise that he's "monitoring" its offseason moves.
James wants to compete for a championship this year and expects Los Angeles to make moves to that end, even though the team is certain to prioritize longterm improvements with 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic in mind.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) on the sidelines against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward LeBron James (23).
Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
The top priority in Los Angeles this summer is acquiring a two-way center who can protect the rim and either create floor spacing as a 3-point shooter, provide Doncic with a lob threat, or both.
The Portland Trail Blazers just bought out DeAndre Ayton, making him arguably the top prize for L.A., as the franchise could circumvent onerous salary cap rules to land a player of Ayton's contract value who would otherwise be beyond their grasp this summer.
Other options include Al Horford and Brook Lopez in free agency, or perhaps a trade with Portland for the likes of Robert Williams III. But while the Lakers are trying to add a new piece, they must also consider how to hold onto 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17).
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17).
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
L.A. traded for Finney-Smith December 2024. On Sunday, June 30, he opted out of the final season of his $55.5 million contract, entering unrestricted free agency.
Finney-Smith was a key starter for Los Angeles last year, playing more than 29 minutes per game during the regular season and over 34 minutes per game in the team's first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported via X on Monday that the Houston Rockets intend to make Finney-Smith a competitive offer to join a roster that is taking shape as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference next year.
"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," Fischer wrote.
Acquiring a viable two-way center in L.A. is of paramount importance, but losing Finney-Smith will create an entirely new problem to solve -- and one of essentially equal significance.