A new trade proposal could see the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Cam Whitmore and Jock Landale from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, but there’s a key condition: this deal can only happen in a sign-and-trade scenario.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Cam Whitmore, Jock Landale
Houston Rockets Receive: Dorian Finney-Smith (via sign-and-trade)
Finney-Smith recently declined his $15.4 million player option, entering unrestricted free agency. That move means the Lakers can no longer offer him the $96.5 million extension he was previously eligible for, but they can still give him a 4-year, $90.2 million deal.
However, if he decides to leave L.A., a sign-and-trade becomes the most viable way for the Lakers to extract value.
This is where the Rockets come in.
Houston reportedly has interest in Finney-Smith and still maintains cap flexibility even after extending Jabari Smith Jr. A sign-and-trade would allow them to bring in one of the league’s most respected 3-and-D forwards, while giving the Lakers a return package headlined by a potential gem in Cam Whitmore.
Whitmore, a 20-year-old wing with tremendous upside, averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds on 44.4% shooting from the field and 35.5% from three last season. His minutes were inconsistent in Houston, but his tools, strength, athleticism, and shot creation are undeniable.
On a Lakers team seeking both immediate help and long-term assets alongside Luka Doncic, Whitmore could be a home-run swing.
Jock Landale, meanwhile, would help plug one of the Lakers’ most glaring holes: interior depth. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in limited minutes last year and is under contract for two more years at $16 million total.
While not a flashy addition, Landale would provide much-needed toughness and rebounding, a solid option behind a yet-to-be-determined starting big man.
As for Finney-Smith, he’s the type of player Houston coach Ime Udoka covets: tough, switchable, experienced, and a willing defender. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and shot 39.8% from three, making him an ideal floor spacer for the Rockets team primed to take over the league with the newly acquired Kevin Durant.
A sign-and-trade would allow Houston to lock him in on a multi-year deal, likely in the $80–90 million range, without losing cap flexibility.
For the Lakers, if they believe Finney-Smith will walk, a sign-and-trade to bring in Whitmore and Landale is far better than losing him for nothing. This gives them a young prospect on a rookie deal and a cost-controlled big, helping build depth around LeBron James, Luka, and whatever moves L.A. makes next.
The only catch: it requires cooperation. Finney-Smith would need to agree to terms with Houston, and the Lakers and Rockets would have to align on valuation. But if talks move forward, this could be a sneaky win for both sides, with L.A. retooling and Houston arming up for a title push.
