The Los Angeles Lakers failed to get anything for Dorian Finney-Smith, despite getting involved in the seven-team Kevin Durant trade that was just finalized. LA let DFS walk, but they could have turned it into a sign-and-trade to acquire a trade player exception to use in a future move. Anything would help the Lakers build out their roster, but the front office couldn’t make it happen.
Los Angeles acquired the draft rights to Adou Thiero in the KD deal that featured an NBA record seven teams. The marquee piece was Durant heading to the Rockets, but the Warriors, Timberwolves, Nets, and Hawks joined the Lakers and Suns in the transaction. This was a true blockbuster, and Rob Pelinka should have found a way to get the Finney-Smith deal involved.
Houston had the room to fit Doe-Doe into their non-taxpayer mid-level exception and acquire him without a trade. They have no reason to help the rival Lakers, but it was just another sting in an offseason full of them for LA.
Lakers unable to add Dorian Finney-Smith to Kevin Durant trade
The Rockets signed Doe-Doe to a four-year $53 million that the Lakers could have easily matched. They were comfortable letting him walk, despite giving up D’Angelo Russell and three second-round draft picks to acquire him in December. The trade looks like a disaster after the Lakers got just 48 games from Doe-Doe.
Houston plans on making a deep playoff run in 2026, and the Lakers could face them in the postseason. Letting the ideal 3-and-D wing depart to a rival is a questionable choice and made worse by not getting anything in return.
Here are the full details of the Kevin Durant trade that Pelinka failed to get Finney-Smith added to.
- Lakers received: Adou Thiero
- Rockets received: Kevin Durant, Clint Capela
- Suns received: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea,
- Hawks received: David Roddy, 2031 2nd round pick, cash
- Nets received: 2026 2nd round pick, 2030 2nd round pick
- Warriors received: Alex Toohey, Jahmai Mashack
- Timberwolves received: Rocco Zikarsky, 2026 2nd round pick, 2032 2nd round pick, cash
Daeqwon Plowden, 2026 2nd round pick, 2032 2nd round pick
Los Angeles is banking on the additions of Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia helping them improve. Ayton was the number one overall draft pick ahead of Luka Doncic, but expecting him to transform into a star seems unwise. They are making a massive gamble in favor of future flexibility, and it could quickly blow up in their faces.
The Lakers gave up cash to trade up in the 2025 draft and select Adou Thiero. They are excited about the 6'8 forward's defensive potential. That smaller deal was added to the Kevin Durant trade to make it a record-breaking seven-teamer. It opened the door for Dorian Finney-Smith to be put in the trade, but LA couldn’t make it happen.
The Los Angeles Lakers have more work to do this offseason, but things are starting to slow down. Expect Rob Pelinka to keep exploring trades and looking for ways to improve. Finding the right deal won’t be easy, but the franchise must try with two superstars on their roster. It wouldn’t be the first time in 2025 the Lakers made an unexpected trade, so stay tuned.