Dorian Finney-Smith revealed he experienced mixed feelings after the Los Angeles Lakers allowed him to leave in free agency, a decision that caught many off guard given his close relationship with Luka Doncic. In 2024, Finney-Smith chose to sign a four-year, $53 million contract with the Houston Rockets, departing a team where Doncic had recently arrived with hopes of building strong chemistry.
Finney-Smith had joined the Lakers late in 2024 through a trade from Brooklyn, seen as a key piece to support Doncic’s adjustment to a new team. Their close friendship dated back to their time with the Dallas Mavericks, making the Lakers’ decision not to retain him an unexpected setback for both players.
During a recent episode of Sportswrap Sit-Downs, Finney-Smith expressed his feelings about the situation:
Oh, man. I was so happy, man. I thought I would finish my career with Luca in LA.
He added,
All that cuz I knew who he is as a person. He, you know, he won’t talk bad about anybody, and you know, he cares, you know, just like when I went to the Rockets, he shot me a text, I’m happy for you. I’m proud of you.
How the Lakers Adjusted Roster Plans After Finney-Smith’s Departure
The Lakers opted not to match Finney-Smith’s deal, offering a two-year contract that he declined in favor of the longer and more lucrative agreement with Houston, aiming to maintain cap space to attract additional star talent around Doncic. This strategy raised concerns about whether losing Finney-Smith might disrupt Doncic’s strongest NBA connection.
Reporters, including The Athletic’s Dan Woike, revealed that Los Angeles quickly shifted focus by signing Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million contract as a replacement wing. LaRavia was identified as the franchise’s primary target to fill the role expected to be vacated by Finney-Smith’s exit.
The Lakers had previously traded three second-round draft picks to acquire Finney-Smith last season, emphasizing their initial commitment to him. Now, they hope LaRavia can adequately support the team’s wing position while preserving financial flexibility to pursue other key players.
Implications for the Lakers and Future Team Dynamics
Finney-Smith’s departure arrives as the Lakers navigate their roster while pursuing long-term building blocks. His move to Houston and maintained bond with Doncic highlight the personal relationships that weigh on team decisions at the highest level. As the Lakers continue to plan around Doncic’s future, their ability to balance roster chemistry and financial constraints will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
The situation underscores how player movement often involves more than strategic calculations; it also affects personal loyalties and team cohesion, factors that could influence the Lakers’ performance in the coming seasons.