LA Lakers have identified an alternative to Dorian Finney-Smith.
Despite hoping to keep Dorian Finney Smith in place, La Lakers could be fighting a lost battle.
Finney Smith opted to attack free agency after rejecting the Lakers’ offer to extend one year.
Despite LeBron James’ praise for Finney Smith and pressured him to build a winning team in the Lakers front office, they risk losing a former Nets star.
Dorian Finney Smith is being leaned into signing with the Houston Rockets, who are looking to replace Dillon Brooks.
Mark Stein reports: “Houston is believed to be preparing a four-year offer to Dorian Finney Smith.
He added, “The Lakers know that it’s difficult to hold the DFS,” but has not given up on the deal.
The Rockets are in a strong position to compete for next season after a recent deal to acquire Kevin Durant.
The LA Lakers have plans for an emergency, focusing on players who temporarily shared their roster with Dorian Finney Smith at Brooklyn Net last season.
Steinline reports that the Lakers are preparing to acquire De Antony Melton in free agency.
Melton played a key role in the Golden State Warriors’ fast start to the 2024-25 season, suffering from the ACL torn in November. He is on track to make a full recovery for the start of 2025-26.
The Warriors traded the injured Melton for a net in mid-December and acquired Dennis Schroeder.
Finney-Smith was traded for the Lakers in late December and was Melton’s teammate for two weeks, but the latter injury meant they didn’t share the court together.