The Los Angeles Lakers have recently been in a state of turmoil after completing a major trade, sending D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for two players: Dorian Finney-Smith and Melton.
At first glance, the trade seemed quite beneficial, especially in terms of immediate combat effectiveness and defense, where the Lakers have significantly strengthened their lineup.
However, there is a problem: Finney-Smith does not seem to plan on staying with the Lakers for long.
Media reports suggest that he may opt out of his contract to become a free agent, which has left Lakers fans feeling uneasy.
The Lakers had just made a seemingly profitable trade, but now Finney-Smith wants to leave early. Could this trade really turn into a significant loss?
To determine whether this trade is a blood-earning or a huge loss, we need to analyze it carefully.
Finney-Smith may not be a household name, but his performance on the court is far from ordinary.
He is not just a wing player who can shoot three-pointers; he is also an excellent defender.
The Lakers managed to acquire him from the Nets, which was a good move, especially considering the need to strengthen their defense. The Lakers have been lacking a stable 3D player in recent years, and Smith fits the bill perfectly.
Last season, Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, with a shooting percentage of 45.9% and a three-point shooting percentage of an impressive 43.5%.
His three-point shooting ability is highly desirable.
He is like the missing piece in the Lakers' current lineup, immediately making their tactics more complete.
The situation with Finney-Smith's contract is also a cause for concern.
He currently has a player option and could earn $15.38 million in the 2025-26 season.
According to reports, he is likely to opt out of his contract to pursue a larger one.
This is understandable, as his performance warrants a higher salary, and who wouldn't want to earn more?
However, if he leaves, the Lakers will have only gained half a year of immediate combat effectiveness and may face salary pressure.
The Lakers should be aware that their salary space is limited. If Finney-Smith wants a bigger contract, they may not be able to keep him.
If he does opt out and leave, the Lakers' management will be stunned. They worked hard to trade for a player who will soon leave, making them feel like they are throwing water at a stone.
Some netizens say that the Lakers have really gone too far this time, as a big trade has left them worried about losing a player.
If Finney-Smith really opts out of his contract, it would indeed be a loss.
Moreover, this claim is not groundless.
The Lakers will need to put some effort into maintaining salary flexibility in the future.
To keep Finney-Smith, the Lakers will have to pay a higher price, and the success or failure of this trade ultimately depends on whether he can continue to stay.
If he leaves, the Lakers will only get Melton from this trade.
Melton's strength cannot be underestimated, especially on the defensive end, where he is a very stable player.
Compared to Finney-Smith, Melton needs to improve his offensive game, especially his three-point shooting. Although he poses some outside threat, the gap between him and Finney-Smith is obvious.
The most important reinforcement in this trade still relies on Finney-Smith.
Some netizens commented: If Finney-Smith really leaves, the Lakers will have to reassess their operations.
I think Pelinka didn't expect such trouble.
Lakers general manager Pelinka's operation this time seems precise and well-placed, but he never expected that Finney-Smith did not plan to stay with the team for a long time.
It can be seen that the mobility of NBA players is too high, and management decisions often have to take risks.
Especially for players like Finney-Smith, their ability ceiling is not low, but whether they can stay with the Lakers also depends on their future plans.
If the Lakers cannot provide a competitive renewal condition in terms of salary, Smith may really leave.
The Lakers' own lineup structure also makes Finney-Smith's stay or departure a significant issue.
The Lakers are aiming to compete for the championship in the short term, and the goal of this trade is to gain immediate combat effectiveness.
However, if Finney-Smith leaves, the Lakers will have to find another way to reinforce, which is not an easy task.
Especially if Smith opts out of his contract in the summer, it will be difficult for the Lakers to find a player like him who can provide immediate combat effectiveness in the market.
Instead, other championship teams like the Warriors and Heat may seize the opportunity to snatch him away.
As a result, the Lakers will have to re-enter the battle, increasing the difficulty of their operations.
Some fans also expressed that if Smith really leaves, there is nothing to regret. After all, he performed well this year, with a bit of a contract-year effect. Whether he can maintain stability will depend on the next few years.
If he leaves, the Lakers should have other ways to reinforce.
Honestly, this point of view also makes sense.
Although Smith's performance is not bad, if he only stays with the Lakers for a season and then leaves, it will be challenging to fill the void he leaves behind.
If the Lakers can find other suitable reinforcement points, it may not be so bad.
In summary, the gains and losses of this trade will have to be tested by time.
For now, the Lakers have indeed gained immediate combat effectiveness through this trade, especially Finney-Smith, who has indeed enhanced the depth of defense and the perimeter. However, the problem is that if Finney-Smith really opts out of his contract in the summer, this trade could easily turn into a white wolf in gloves.
If he leaves, the Lakers will have to make some adjustments to see if they can maintain their competitiveness.
Lakers fans' moods are likely to fluctuate with the development of this matter. If Smith leaves, it will be challenging not to feel disappointed.