Just a few days ago, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a major trade, sending D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2031) to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Finney-Smith and Milton. This trade has earned widespread acclaim for the Lakers' management and general manager Pelinka, with many believing that the Lakers have achieved substantial reinforcement through this deal.
Indeed, the Lakers did not pay a high price; Russell was an expendable player, while Lewis and several second-round draft picks were mere extras in the trade. In return, the Lakers acquired Finney-Smith and Milton, both of whom are strong rotation players with immediate impact, especially Finney-Smith, who can be considered an excellent 3D wing player, a relatively scarce resource in the NBA. This trade is widely regarded as a great bargain for the Lakers.
However, in the past two days, media reports suggest that Finney-Smith may enter the free agent market early and is unlikely to stay with the Lakers long-term. According to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, although the Lakers hope to keep new recruit Dorian Finney-Smith long-term, early expectations are that Finney-Smith will opt out of his $15.38 million player option for the 2025-26 season to test the free agent market and become a free agent.
This season, Finney-Smith's salary is $14.92 million. In his Lakers debut against the Cavaliers, he played 20 minutes, shooting 1 for 4 and 0 for 2 from three-point range, scoring 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Judging from Smith's debut, he did not showcase his strengths. The Lakers are very confident in him and hope he will play for the team long-term, but Smith is considering earning more money, which is why he is contemplating opting out of his contract early in the summer to become a free agent.
If the Lakers went through all the trouble to acquire him only to use him for half a season, then this trade would not be a great bargain but rather a significant loss. Given the Lakers' salary cap space, if Smith demands a larger contract, the Lakers may find it difficult to re-sign him, causing some regret among Lakers fans. In fact, if Smith really does leave, Lakers fans need not be too concerned because Smith's characteristics dictate that he must play alongside superstars.
Let's take a look at Smith's stats this season. While playing for the Nets this season, Finney-Smith appeared in 20 games, averaging 29 minutes per game with 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, shooting 45.9% from the field, a career-high 43.5% from three-point range, and 62.5% from the free-throw line. Although his three-point shooting percentage is high, his free-throw percentage is only around 60%, indicating that his shooting is not truly that accurate but rather influenced by his contract year status. It's rare to see a sharpshooter with only a 60% free-throw rate.
Therefore, if Smith is determined to make big money, the Lakers should let him go without regret. What do you think, fellow fans?