Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Lakers Expected To Add Veteran Big Man And Re-Sign Two Key Players In Free Agency
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis > Lakers Expected To Add Veteran Big Man And Re-Sign Two Key Players In Free Agency

Lakers Expected To Add Veteran Big Man And Re-Sign Two Key Players In Free Agency

The Lakers are expected to retain the services of two key players in free agency and add a veteran big man.

Gautam Varier
Jun 21, 2025
4 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to have a busy offseason as they aim to become serious title contenders in the 2025-26 season. With free agency starting just over a week from now on June 30, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus has put out his predictions for the Lakers’ 2025 free agency class.

– Clint Capela

– LeBron James

– Dorian Finney-Smith

Pincus thinks the Lakers will sign Clint Capela using the taxpayer mid-level exception. Capela averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Atlanta Hawks in 2024-25. 

Lakers insider Anthony Irwin also listed Capela as one of the players the team is looking at to be their backup center next season. The Swiss big man is no longer at his absolute best, but would be a fantastic option off the bench.

Capela remains a terror on the glass and provides some much-needed rim protection as well for the Lakers. They will face some competition for the 31-year-old’s services, and it will be interesting to see who he ends up with.

Pincus expects Capela to be the only notable addition the Lakers make in free agency, with LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith re-signing with the team.

James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2024-25. The 40-year-old has a $52.6 million player option for 2025-26, and he is expected to opt into it. Pincus thinks he’ll either do that or sign a two-year deal with a player option at a similar salary.

It’s a testament to James’ greatness that the Lakers could give a man entering his 23rd season a two-year contract worth over $100 million, and it wouldn’t be deemed a ridiculous decision. The 21-time All-Star made the All-NBA Second Team in 2025 and is still a force on the court.

Finney-Smith wasn’t eligible for any honors after playing 63 games in 2024-25, but he had a positive impact on the court for the Lakers. The 32-year-old arrived via trade from the Brooklyn Nets midseason and averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for LA.

Finney-Smith helped elevate the Lakers’ defense upon arrival. The veteran proved to be extremely important for the team, and retaining his services was always going to be a top priority.

Like James, Finney-Smith also has a player option for 2025-26. Unlike his teammate, however, he is expected to decline his $15.4 million option.

Finney-Smith also hinted that he won’t take a pay cut to remain with the Lakers. Pincus thinks the 3-and-D wing will get a deal worth $12-16 million per year, and that the figure could be lower based on the length.

Depending on the trades the Lakers make, this would be a solid free agency class. If they can acquire a good starting caliber center and a wing defender, they’d get a pretty good grade for this offseason.

Would these moves make the Lakers title contenders in the Western Conference? Perhaps. You’d certainly expect them to fare better in the playoffs than they did this year, when the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated them in five games in the first round. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Clint CapelaDorian Finney-smithLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers Archive
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByGautam Varier
Follow:
Gautam Varier is a staff writer and columnist for Fadeaway World from Mumbai, India. He graduated from Symbiosis International University with a Master of Business specializing in Sports Management in 2020. This educational achievement enables Gautam to apply sophisticated analytical techniques to his incisive coverage of basketball, blending business acumen with sports knowledge.Before joining Fadeaway World in 2022, Gautam honed his journalistic skills at Sportskeeda and SportsKPI, where he covered a range of sports topics with an emphasis on basketball. His passion for the sport was ignited after witnessing the high-octane offense of the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Among the Suns, Shawn Marion stood out to Gautam as an all-time underrated NBA player. Marion’s versatility as a defender and his rebounding prowess, despite being just 6’7”, impressed Gautam immensely. He admired Marion’s finishing ability at the rim and his shooting, despite an unconventional jump shot, believing that Marion’s skill set would have been even more appreciated in today’s NBA.This transformative experience not only deepened his love for basketball but also shaped his approach to sports writing, enabling him to connect with readers through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis.
Previous Article Rockets Trade Package For Kevin Durant Gets Rejected: Suns Want A Premium Deal
Next Article NBA Agents Are Hesitant For Their Clients To Play With LaMelo Ball
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Golden State Warriors Trade Rumors

Warriors Target Bam Adebayo As A Long Term Solution For Center Position

October 3, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025
Feb 5, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) looks on during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors

NBA Trade Idea: Kings Land Nets Center To Provide Domantas Sabonis With Support In Frontcourt

October 3, 2025
Houston Rockets Trade Rumors

Russell Westbrook Likes Rockets IG Photo With Kevin Durant, Steven Adams; Big Reunion Upcoming?

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?