Losing Dorian Finney-Smith to kick off free agency was not a good look on the Los Angeles Lakers initially. However, seeing how Rob Pelinka recovered from there and the results it has provided thus far makes the move a very justifiable one as the 2025-26 season marches forward.
The analysis of the decision really depends on how the situation is framed. Losing a glue guy and advanced numbers darling like Finney-Smith can easily be viewed as a tough blow. If the thought process is shifted to him being a necessary casualty of adding Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart, the decision starts to be seen in a lot more positive of a light.
Finney-Smith is the type of role player that any contending team dreams of having. Even so, the Lakers got three valuable members of their rotation as a result of the free agency loss. That is quickly becoming a defining success of the start to the 2025-26 NBA season for Los Angeles.
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Even after getting absolutely bludgeoned by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, there are still a lot of positives to be found from the Lakers' 8-4 record thus far. A lot of those stem from their new arrivals.
Ayton has provided the stopgap at center the Lakers needed. The former first overall pick is averaging respectable figures of 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game, while shooting 67.2 percent from the field.
Smart has brought the type of tenacity and energy that has swung games for the Lakers. The two-way guard has looked closer to the version of himself that aided the Boston Celtics in several successful campaigns.
LaRavia is quickly making a name for himself as a steady contributor that is capable of slotting in all sorts of places for the Lakers. The Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings are forced to look on with regret as his breakout happens in Los Angeles.
Each of these players have helped contribute to early Lakers wins, showing just how much value there is to having all three of them on the roster.
LaRavia's 27-point performance helped steal a win on the road in Minnesota. Ayton guided an undermanned Lakers squad to a surprising victory against his former team in Portland. Major gaff in crunchtime aside, Los Angeles does not beat the San Antonio Spurs without Smart's contributions.
The value of shoring up the depth has shined through. It also makes Pelinka's job much easier when February starts creeping up and the Lakers general manager has less holes to plug for a championship push.
Finney-Smith has yet to debut with the Houston Rockets due to injury. When that day comes, perhaps it will immediately become apparent just how good of a fit he is there. Even in those circumstances, the Lakers will still be in a position where they feel comfortable with how this summer went down.