The Lakers have two players on their roster who have to exercise their player option for a contract in the upcoming season: LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith. This also includes rejecting the option to accept a more financially friendly deal with the team or become free agents, and listening to offers from other teams.
It was reported during the NBA Draft that Dorian Finney-Smith is inclined towards rejecting the player option for a $15.3 million contract next season and becoming a free agent instead. If this report is true and he decides to become a free agent, he can anticipate contract offers roughly in the range of $15 million-$20 million per year for three years, which includes a player option in the final season.
Finney-Smith shot 41.1% from three-point range this season and is a career 36.6% shooter from that range while averaging 4.3 attempts per game. The 3-D wing is a highly in-demand position among several rebuilding teams that also have the financial capability to offer a favorable contract to him.
The following are the potential landing spots with the financial flexibility to sign Dorian Finney-Smith if he decides to decline the player option and test the waters of free agency.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are making big moves in the offseason, which has included the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade. They took on his expiring contract and shed two expiring contracts (Georges Niang and Terrance Mann) in the process. They therefore have the roster spot for a 3-D wing, a perfect fit for Finney-Smith.
If they are serious about contending this season, the Hawks could use a player like Finney-Smith to play a role similar to what Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danillo Gallinari did for them in their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are rebuilding their roster around Coby White and Josh Giddey after trading their star player Zach LaVine last season. One of the main struggles for the Bulls was their defense, as they were rated 18th in the league in terms of team defensive ratings for 2024-25. Finney-Smith is a versatile defender; his defensive skills, in addition to his sharpshooting skills, make him a strong candidate for the Bulls to potentially consider.
Another reason why the Bulls could consider bringing Finney-Smith onto the team is due to his personal connection with Bulls’ head coach Billy Donovan. Donovan was the former head coach for the Florida Gators and he coached Finney-Smith in his time there. Therefore, a reunion may incline Finney-Smith towards joining the Bulls.
Charlotte Hornets
Just like the Bulls, one of the primary concerns for the Hornets has been their defense. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are both incredibly efficient on the offensive side, but equally a liability on the defensive end of the floor. As a bottom-five team in the league for defense in 2024-25, the Hornets could seriously use Finney-Smith’s versatility on defense, especially having lost their center, Mark Williams, one of their best defenders, to the Suns.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz were a bottom-five team in the West in terms of three-point shooting during the 2024-25 season. Moreover, they drafted Ace Bailey, the surprisingly highly-rated forward from Rutgers who shot only 34.3% from deep last NCAA season. Therefore, they are in severe need of a sharpshooter like Finney-Smith. After getting traded to the Lakers last season, he shot 45.2% from deep in a career-best stretch.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards are the team with the worst team average of scoring from deep last season (33.5%) in the entire NBA. They were also the worst defensive team in the Eastern Conference, with a team defensive rating of 119.1 this season. Therefore, they are also in desperate need of a player like Finney-Smith to improve these areas on their team.
In conclusion, if Finney-Smith decides to decline his player option and the Lakers do not counter any offers from other teams, then teams that are in need to improve their three point shooting as well as their defense will likely look to swoop in for Finney-Smith and offer him a long-term contract with a player option in the final season. If he gets that, only then should he consider leaving the Lakers.
