It is full-blown NBA free agency time, and of course there is the attached usual swirl of rumors, speculations, and make-or-break moves. Among the athletes who are raging in the rumor mill of the Los Angeles Lakers is Dorian Finney-Smith. A 32-year-old forward who recently decided not to take the player option amounting to 15.4 million dollars left fans and critics equally surprised. However, inasmuch as the Lakers might lose a proven two-way player, this scenario might just allow one to face an unsolicited outcome, a chance of financial freedom that might as well be the silver lining to LA.
The Declined Option of Finney-Smith: It comes as a shock.
Dorian Finney-Smith is a long-time NBA stalwart with a reputation for elite perimeter defense, versatile position play, and the ability to play efficiently as part of a collective. His versatility in protecting various aspects of the court as well as spacing the floor is a major advantage to him and can be of much use to a Lakers team that is still trying to cultivate around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, when Finney-Smith declined to exercise the early termination option of his $15.4 million contract, it had more than a few eyebrows raised on it, as there is no news of a new contract between LA and the player.
Why would a person aged 32 years leave a big paycheck without an actual contract in place? It may be said that others think it is a sign that he has another multi-year contract in mind elsewhere. To others it is a maneuver of diplomacy, or possibly to go back to LA on friendlier terms. Why it is, that could well be beyond the point, because the Lakers are now at a critical juncture.
The Financial Upside
Although losing a player of the caliber of Finney-Smith would definitely hurt, especially on the pitch, there is an essential plus side that one cannot ignore. Respected NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein say that the move opens up all of the Lakers non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE) at $14.1 million.
The Lakers need to walk out with a front-line center, and that is what they badly need, as Finney-Smith would release the full mid-level exception of $14.1 million, according to a report given by Fischer and Stein at The Stein Line.
That MLE is an effective weapon of the general manager, Rob Pelinka, and the front office of the Lakers. The Lakers have now created the financial means by which they can acquire a decent big man in the frontcourt who can be their defensive linchpin and take some of the pressure off of Davis, especially with gaping holes up front, especially on the inside.
Who is the Lakers target?
They have the money of 14.1 million to use, and hence the Lakers now have the scope to negotiate with a more competitive bid for veterans centers. In the recent past, LA has had a problem solidifying a player in the five position. Although Davis has switched between power forward and center positions, his preference to play the number four position leaves a gap that needs to be filled.
The MLE would give the Lakers a legitimate chance to secure another high-end talent, whether defensively inclined, in the form of Isaiah Hartenstein, or floor-spacing oriented, like Jonas Valančiūnas. The front office is now able to make all the moves that can strengthen their championship thoughts without having to go through complex trade situations or losing youth in the process.
The Houston Rockets presents a looming competition.
Now, naturally, Dorian Finney-Smith will not have a shortage of suitors on an open market. The Houston Rockets have now become a legitimate threat, and this is following the most recent blockbuster trade where they bought superstar Kevin Durant. Houston is reportedly also working on a four-year offer to Finney-Smith, although it might not be the full MLE. It is difficult to compete with Houston, which can not only offer money but also provide an opportunity to a promising young core with a hunger to win instantly.
Nevertheless, the Lakers organization is full of hope despite the imminent threat of competition.
In an article by Fischer and Stein, they stated that the Lakers are optimistic about keeping Finney-Smith. The move by the 32-year-old to decline his player option of $15.4 million… caught many by surprise in the league.
Is there a negotiation occurring through the back channel? There is always a risk that Finney-Smith would like to stick to LA, particularly when a longer contract is provided. The fact that the Lakers believe in keeping him is an implication that it is not yet over.
The Human Element: Better Than a Roster Hole
Talking about salary caps and trade exceptions is easy, but there is a human aspect behind every free agency deal presented. Finney-Smith is not a signature on a contract but one of the most loved components of the team, a teammate of superstars like Luka Dončić, hard-working, and a successful NBA player who managed to win a place in the NBA thanks to hard work.
It would not feel good to lose him in terms of statistics. He adds a touch of roughness, leadership, and an element of defensive identity, which teams desire. However, when he does walk away, he will leave them a gift, giving the Lakers the freedom to construct something more intelligent, deeper, and stronger.
Looking Forward: Strategic Flexibility in a Global Age
The Lakers are undergoing one of their most crucial offseasons in recent memory. LeBron James is becoming older, and the power of LA is limited in time. All the moves count, and sometimes minus is plus.
In any case, the Lakers have a chance to make an important roster addition since the $14.1 million mid-level exception they used on Finney-Smith is now available. It may be strengthening the frontcourt, planting more depth, or even discovering a diamond in the market.
With flexibility proving to be as good a commodity as talent in the free agent league, the Lakers may end up taking the most out of a scheduled loss.
Final Thoughts
The future of Dorian Finney-Smith is not clear, yet the Los Angeles Lakers know which way to go. With the risk of losing one of the strongest defenders, they would have the financial resources to remodel the team and make one more attempt to win the championship. The success or failure of that roll of the dice will be announced in the next few days of the NBA free agency period, but this is definite: the Lakers are willing to make their next move.
