ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that Dorian Finney-Smith agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Rockets, officially marking the end of his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. It's not a good sign for what could be to come with LeBron James, who exercised his player option on Sunday, but made it clear that he wants to win a championship.
Rich Paul, LeBron's agent, said that the superstar understands the Lakers are "building for the future," but he wants to make the most of his remaining time in the NBA. LeBron putting pressure on the organization to make win-now moves is nothing new, but this time, it seems like there's more to it.
LeBron will enter his 23rd season in the 2025-26 NBA season, making history as the first NBA player to reach that milestone. He'll turn 41 in December, at about the midway mark of the season. He's still playing at a high level, but the reality is that he won't be around forever.
NBA insider Marc Stein was the first to report on Sunday that Houston was a true threat to "steal" DFS from LA after he declined his option. Stein said that the Lakers value future financial flexibility (subscription required), which isn't what LeBron wants to hear, given his career is nearing its end.
Free agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith has agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Finney-Smith's agent, Michael Tellem of Excel Sports, negotiated terms of the deal tonight with Rockets executives for the 3-and-D wing. pic.twitter.com/wUNbGn0rOy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Dorian Finney-Smith leaves Lakers, agrees to four-year deal with Rockets
Winning another title with the Lakers in a stacked Western Conference wouldn't have been an easy task even if Finney-Smith stayed in Los Angeles. The Lakers won't be able to sign a player who brings the same value that DFS did, which could put the organization at a crossroads with LeBron.
A huge loss for the Lakers -- on multiple fronts. Weakens their perimeter depth and defense and strengthens their rival's. They also lose one of Luka's favorite teammates. We'll see how they bounce back with their $14.1 million NTMLE and $5.1 BAE. https://t.co/ik1kh9BSNp
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) June 30, 2025
The Rockets finished with the second-best record in the conference this past season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Warriors. Houston addressed its need for another scorer by trading for Kevin Durant. The Rockets have already upgraded their roster in more ways than one, and the offseason just began.
Watching from afar as a rival makes moves to go all-in on a title can't be what LeBron hoped for. Los Angeles is limited in what it can do, making the matter worse. Free agency started on a sour note for the Lakers, and things could get worse if LeBron asks out.