After acquiring him from Brooklyn, the Lakers would like to hang onto three-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith long-term, says Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. However, Scotto hears that the early expectation is that Finney-Smith will decline his $15.4MM player option for the 2025/26 season in order to test free agency.
While it’s unclear if Finney-Smith could exceed that $15.4MM figure in terms of average annual salary on a new contract, he could certainly secure a larger overall guarantee with a new multiyear deal.
According to Scotto, besides the Lakers, other teams that had interest in Finney-Smith before the Nets traded him to Los Angeles included the Grizzlies, Mavericks, Nuggets, Warriors, Kings, and Pacers. That doesn’t necessarily mean all of those clubs will be in the mix if and when Finney-Smith reaches free agency, but they could be some of the potential suitors to watch.
Here are a few more items of interest from around the Pacific:
- The next item on the Lakers‘ wish list is a backup center, according to Scotto, who says Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas is still very much a potential target for Los Angeles. As they peruse the market for a big man, the Lakers are expected to dangle Gabe Vincent and their remaining second-round draft capital, sources tell Scotto. The team still controls its own 2025 second-round pick, as well as the Clippers’ 2025 second-rounder.
- Teams around the NBA are keeping an eye on the Kings to see if they’ll end up making a panic trade in the hopes of turning their season around, Scotto writes, reporting that Nets forward Cameron Johnson has been a consistent target for Sacramento. The biggest question among rival executives, Scotto says, is whether the Kings would entertain the idea of a De’Aaron Fox trade. There’s a sense from some around the league that Fox would have to request a trade for Sacramento to seriously consider moving him, Scotto adds.
- League sources tell HoopsHype that Clippers two-way player Jordan Miller is a strong candidate for a promotion to the 15-man roster if the team can open up a spot for him. In that scenario, San Diego Clippers standouts Tosan Evbuomwan or RayJ Dennis would be among the contenders for the newly opened two-way slot, Scotto writes.
Can someone tell me if a team out there would be willing to give up a moderately-to-highly valuable rotational piece for Vincent and his contract?
No way, lakers fan as well
Its underwater and pretty big. Another Rob folly, if he had a team option next year instead of the full guarantee he would actually have good mobility today in the market . Rob signs free agents as if he’s still sitting across the other side of the table
Yeah, not in buy-out territory yet. It’s gonna be hard to move. If L.A. really wants big Val, the money works but have to sweaten the pot. Probably multiple 2nds. Dangerous game without a legit PG. Max Christie may have some trade value if Lakers aren’t willing to part with Rua or Vanderbilt. Does someone like Brogdon get bought out? Another Dangerous game relying on the buyout market.
Im not taking Vincent and 2 2nds for Val if Im Wiz, not even close
Vanderbelts even more underwater, nobodies touching that
They could get Val for Max and JHS today but Max is one of their best perimeter defenders, think Lakers pass and go cheap C making sub 5 mill somewhere else keep Max
They have No more of these cheap 2nd rd deals for anyone, they’ll have to bust out the first Rounders to make any more progress on the trade front. Utah Imo is it’s best partner to dance with
Yeah Im not either. Kessler and or a sexton would be fantastic for L.A but like you said, wont be cheap. I’m not sure lakers have enough for Ainge to part ways with these guys.
Yea my Kessler + Sexton dream kinda fell apart with no DLO contract. Much harder to pull with Vincent AND/or Vando as the salary, probably more a pipe dream now
Theres a 5-2 trade with just Vincent and scraps expiring (JHS Wood Milton and Hayes) that works financially but its reaching at this point. Utah would get every Laker pick left + swaps unprotected, could intrigue Utah if ALL unprotected but way less likely today without Dlos contract
Vincent contract is not expiring at the end of the year they would need to attach a 1st and 2nd round pick to get Wizards to take Vincent for Val.
Forget Finney-Smith….Shake Milton is going to be a solid role player for the Lakers…going to end up playing a vital role
Trade for J Grant or Kuzma Kings. They also need a upgrade at SG.
Trade Huerter, Lyles, Carter, Jones and picks can be traded , Murray if looking at a all star. Murray is shooting under 30 percent from 3 this year yikes