The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason took an unexpected turn when veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets, leaving the Lakers empty-handed just months after acquiring him. According to multiple reports, the departure wasn’t just about money. It was about respect.
Team insider Jovan Buha revealed that the Lakers’ front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, attempted to “get cute” with their offer to Finney-Smith, presenting a deal that was significantly below market value. The lowball offer reportedly frustrated the 32-year-old forward, who had become a key piece in the Lakers’ small-ball lineups and a reliable 3-and-D presence down the stretch of the 2024–25 season.
Buha emphasized that the issue wasn’t related to salary cap constraints or the league’s new luxury tax apron. Instead, it was a matter of principle. Finney-Smith, who had just opted out of his $15.4 million player option, was looking for long-term security and fair compensation. The Lakers, it seems, weren’t willing to meet him halfway.
To make matters worse, Lakers insider Anthony Irwin reported that Pelinka may have tried to suppress Finney-Smith’s market value by speaking to other teams about his recent ankle surgery. The implication was that Pelinka was attempting to tank the veteran’s free agency leverage, a move that reportedly got back to Finney-Smith’s camp and further soured the relationship.
The Lakers had acquired Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets in December 2024, giving up D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks. While the trade didn’t cost them premium assets, losing Finney-Smith for nothing less than a year later is a blow to the team’s depth and defensive identity.
In his lone season with the Lakers, Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and shot 36.8% from three-point range. He was often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best wing and played a crucial role in the Lakers’ late-season push.
Now, with Finney-Smith in Houston and the Lakers scrambling to fill the void, signing Jake LaRavia to a modest two-year deal, the spotlight is once again on Pelinka’s decision-making. While he’s earned praise for bold moves like the Luka Dončić trade, this episode raises questions about asset management and player relations in Los Angeles.
For Finney-Smith, the move to Houston offers a fresh start and a multi-year commitment. For the Lakers, it’s a lesson in how quickly goodwill can evaporate when negotiations go sideways.
