Lakers Rumors: Dorian Finney-Smith Expected to Decline $15M Contract Option, Enter FA

The Los Angeles Lakers got a solid role player when they traded D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in return for Dorian Finney-Smith.

Finney-Smith will almost certainly help the Lakers compete in the playoffs, but he could reportedly serve as a one-year rental.

Per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, Finney-Smith is expected to decline his $15.38 million player option for the 2025-26 season and enter unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Finney-Smith, a nine-year veteran, is having an outstanding start to the season, putting up 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from deep.

The Lakers have been high on the 3-and-D forward for a while now. Clutch Point's Anthony F. Irwin reported in November that Los Angeles "checked in on Finney-Smith" last season and were in "constant contact" with the Nets earlier this season.

The Lakers finally landed the coveted role player and they'll hope to retain him after this season, but he might get plenty of interest in free agency.

Los Angeles wasn't the only team trying to land Finney-Smith before the trade as Scotto also reported that the Memphis Grizzlies offered the Nets a protected 2025 first-round pick, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar. Scotto also noted that the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings and others were all interested in Finney-Smith.

If the trade interest he garnered this season is any indication of how high teams are on Finney-Smith, he could have a laundry list of teams ready to sign him this summer.

Until then, Finney-Smith will look to boost his stock for the remainder of the season while helping the Lakers pursue another title. Los Angeles had a hot 10-4 start to the year but has since cooled down, sitting at 18-13 as the New Year approaches.

With a new addition to their roster in Finney-Smith, the Lakers will look to find their rhythm heading into the second half of the season.