Lakers Reportedly Expected to Pursue De'Anthony Melton Contract in NBA Free Agency
The Los Angeles Lakers could lose a key role player this offseason after Dorian Finney-Smith declined his player option for the 2025-26 season, but the team reportedly already has an eye on a new addition if Finney-Smith decides to walk in free agency.
Per NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Lakers "are expected to show interest in De'Anthony Melton" if Finney-Smith leaves this offseason.
The Athletic's Dan Woike echoed Stein and Fischer's report:
Unfortunately for Melton, a back injury limited him to just 38 games in 2023-24 and a torn ACL last season meant he played just six games with the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors traded him to the Brooklyn Nets in December for Dennis Schröder and a second-round draft pick.
Though Melton has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, he's been a reliable option when on the court. In his last healthy season in 2022-23, he put up 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 39 percent from three with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Melton was on a one-year deal worth $12.8 million last year, but it's fair to assume the Lakers could sign that 27-year-old at a cheaper price, considering he's coming off a season spent injured.
But before Los Angeles signs Melton, it will keep its focus on retaining Finney-Smith, who averaged 7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 43 contests with the Lakers last year, despite playing on an injured ankle.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin noted that the Lakers were 29-14 with Finney-Smith on the court and went 14-6 in games that he started. His stats certainly don't jump off the page, but his importance to Los Angeles is evident.
Finney-Smith should draw plenty of interest this offseason after a solid year with the Lakers. He's being targeted by the Houston Rockets, according to Fischer, and Los Angeles is "bracing to lose" him, per Woike.
Whether the Lakers will be able to replace him with Melton or another valuable role player remains to be seen.
