The Los Angeles Lakers let Dorian Finney-Smith walk to the Houston Rockets on a four-year $53 million deal in a stunning free agency move where the franchise lost a key piece of their rotation and Luka Doncic’s closest teammate. The duo spent four and a half years playing together in Dallas where they formed a tight friendship. Their bond picked up right where it left off when Doncic was traded to LA, but things did not last long. Finney-Smith declined his player option on Aug. 29 and signed elsewhere to open free agency.
This is an awful start to a crucial offseason. LeBron James opened the door for his exit after opting into his player option, and Luka has made it clear he wants upgrades. Instead, the Lakers lose a player who averaged 34 minutes per game in the playoffs for zero return.
Finney-Smith’s close relationship with Luka makes this even worse. The Lakers’ newest superstar is eligible for an extension in August. After rescinding the Mark Williams trade and this, Doncic may already be second-guessing the front office’s decision-making.
Lakers let Dorian Finney-Smith walk despite his close bond with Luka
Doncic called Finney-Smith “my guy” and couldn’t hide his excitement about reuniting with him in Los Angeles after the stunning blockbuster trade. After just four months, the duo is broken up again.
DFS is the perfect player to put around Luka. He can defend multiple positions and sink open shots without commanding the ball. Finney-Smith is happy spotting up in the corner and knocking down wide-open looks. The 6’7 forward has shot over 39 percent from 3-point range in each of his last three seasons playing with number 77.
The on-court fit and friendship clearly did not matter to LA. They want to keep flexibility for the 2026 offseason and clearly had no desire to give Finney-Smith the long-term deal he wanted. It is not a ringing endorsement for building around Luka, but it did open the non-taxpayer mid-level exception for the Lakers to add in free agency.
It was stunning to see DFS decline his player option without a new contract in hand. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ brass missed a golden opportunity to show faith in keeping Luka happy and building him a contending roster for 2026. Instead, they let Finney-Smith walk and desperately need a 3-and-D wing replacement.
Add that to their glaring center needs. Filling both holes will be difficult with the assets at the Lakers' disposal. Not where the franchise wants to be with a prime superstar and an aging one already on their roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers fumbled the Dorian Finney-Smith situation. Now, Luka Doncic’s closest teammate is playing for a Western Conference rival. The Lakers must make moves to keep number 77 in LA, and this only adds more pressure to a combustible situation. The ball is certainly in Pelinka’s court to make something happen ASAP.