DORIAN FINNEY-SMITH NEWS

Declines player option Sunday Finney-Smith (ankle) declined his $15.4 million player option with the Lakers on Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact Finney-Smith will enter free agency and is expected to draw interest from several contending teams. The 3-and-D forward shot a career-best 41.1 percent from beyond the arc across 63 regular-season games (40 starts) between Brooklyn and Los Angeles last season, averaging 8.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per contest. The 32-year-old recently underwent surgery on his left ankle but is expected to be ready for training camp.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers' Dorian Finney-Smith Reportedly Makes Future Decision with Team Lakers veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith has reportedly made a decision on his future with the team this summer.

JUNE 26 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Undergoes surgery on ankle Finney-Smith underwent successful surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be ready for training camp, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Finney-Smith heads into the NBA offseason with a player option on his contract with the Lakers worth $15.3 million. Even after undergoing ankle surgery, he'll likely remain a priority for the Lakers in free agency, whether he decides to opt into his contract or opt out in hopes of getting a long-term deal. After the Nets traded him in December of 2024, the veteran forward played 36 games for Los Angeles and averaged 8.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from deep.

JUNE 12 • ROTOWIRE

Lakers 2024-25 season player grades: Dorian Finney-Smith A look at how forward Dorian Finney-Smith did this season with the Lakers.

JUNE 10 • USATODAY.COM

Adds seven points in Game 5 loss Finney-Smith fouled out of Wednesday's 103-96 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs after recording seven points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt...

Impact Finney-Smith joined the starting lineup for Wednesday's clash but failed to capitalize on the opportunity, as he was held t single figures in scoring for the fifth straight game. He averaged 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in a series that was mostly dominated by Minnesota, with the loss bringing a swift end to LA's championship aspirations. One bright spot for Finney-Smith over the course of the 2024-25 regular season was his remarkable improvement from beyond the arc, hitting at a clip of 41.1 percent from deep across 63 games, which marks a new career high.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Is LeBron James set to announce he's retiring?: 'I don't have the answer'

LeBron James was asked about what his (and the Lakers') future holds following their series defeat at the hands of the Timberwolves, but he...

MAY 1 • FOX SPORTS

Celtics' Jrue Holiday wins NBA's sportsmanship award, becomes 5th player to win it more than once

Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics has won the NBA’s sportsmanship award for the second time, making him the fifth player in league history to win that trophy in multiple years

MAY 1 • Associated Press

Timberwolves eliminate Lakers from playoffs with 103-96 win in Game 5

Tthe Minnesota Timberwolves advanced in the NBA playoffs with a 103-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their first-round se...

MAY 1 • FOX SPORTS

Jumps into starting five Finney-Smith is part of the first unit for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact Finney-Smith has played at least 29 minutes in each of the first four games of the series but will get his first start in Game 5, replacing Jaxon Hayes. Finney-Smith is averaging 6.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists across 35.3 minutes per game this series.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 41 minutes Finney-Smith had six points (2-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt), eight rebounds, six assists and one block over 41 minutes during Sunday's 116-113 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4 of the first rou...

Impact Due to a brutal start by Jaxson Hayes, coach J.J. Redick rode with Finney-Smith for most of the night. In fact, Finney-Smith started the second half and didn't come out for any breaks. With the season on the line for Los Angeles, it's likely that Finney-Smith again plays a featured role in Game 5 next to Rui Hachimura.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Edwards is 'just trying to be a pest' to LeBron James. The T-wolves won't back down from LA

Anthony Edwards learned a lot from LeBron James and the other elders on Team USA at the Olympics last summer

APRIL 28 • Associated Press

Timberwolves push Lakers to edge of elimination with 116-113 comeback win behind Edwards' 43 points

Jaden McDaniels converted a three-point play with 39.5 seconds left for the lead and stole the ensuing inbounds pass from LeBron James in a rally by the Minnesota Timberwolves for...

APRIL 27 • Associated Press

Seven points in 39 minutes in win Finney-Smith recorded seven points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one block in 39 minutes during Tuesday's 94-85 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first...

Impact Finney-Smith has struggled to get going in this series, as he hasn't made much of an impact on either side of the basketball floor. The Florida product was reliable in a bench role during the regular season, but that hasn't been the case during the playoffs thus far, combining for 10 points and eight rebounds across two games.

APRIL 23 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Saturday Finney-Smith (ankle) is available for Saturday's Game 1 against the Timberwolves.

Impact Finney-Smith joined several Lakers players in sitting for the regular-season finale against the Trail Blazers, but he will play in the postseason opener Saturday. Since being traded by the Nets to the Lakers in December, Finney-Smith averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals over 28.9 minutes per game across 43 outings (including 20 starts).

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Luka Doncic eager to start playing big games for Lakers, starting in playoff date with Timberwolves

Luka Doncic has been with the Los Angeles Lakers for 2 1/2 months now, and he’s feeling fairly comfortable in his new home

APRIL 17 • Associated Press

2025 NBA playoffs: LeBron and Luka, the Celtics and more storylines to watch

Here are six storylines are worth paying close attention to during the 2025 NBA playoffs.

APRIL 17 • FOX SPORTS

Expected to play vs. Detroit Finney-Smith (ankle) didn't play in the regular-season finale but is expected to be ready for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Finney-Smith has taken his game to another level since being traded to the Lakers, as he's carved out a significant role with his new team. The veteran forward averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, shooting 44.8 percent from the field and a career-high 41.1 percent from deep throughout 63 games played during the 2024-25 regular-season campaign.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. Portland Finney-Smith is out for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a left ankle effusion, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The Lakers will rest several of their regular starters for this matchup since the team already locked up the third seed in the Western Conference, meaning Finney-Smith will get some extra rest with the playoffs right around the corner. Due to his defensive ability, Finney-Smith figures to play a big role in the Lakers rotation during the postseason.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Luka scores 39 points, Lakers wrap up Pacific title and No. 3 seed with win over resting Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 140-109 victory over the Houston Rockets

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Back to bench role Finney-Smith will head back to a bench role for the Lakers on Wednesday against the Mavericks, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact Finney-Smith has started two of the last three games for Los Angeles but will come off the bench Wednesday in Dallas with Rui Hachimura back in the starting lineup. The veteran forward has averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game in a reserve role, shooting 43.1 percent from the floor and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Getting starting nod Finney-Smith is in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Thunder, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Finney-Smith will replace Rui Hachimura (knee) in the starting five Tuesday. Finney-Smith has averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.8 minutes across his previous 10 starting appearances.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Tuesday Finney-Smith (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Impact Finney-Smith was upgraded from questionable to probable Tuesday, and he'll add some much-needed depth in the frontcourt. It wouldn't be surprising if he starts, given that Rui Hachimura (knee) has been ruled out. Finney-Smith is averaging 9.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and a combined 1.6 steals-plus-blocks per game over his last nine appearances.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Now likely to play Tuesday Finney-Smith (ankle) is now listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact Finney-Smith was originally considered questionable to suit up Tuesday, but he's now likely to play through a left ankle issue. Across his last 10 appearances, the veteran forward has averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.5 three-pointers in 30.5 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from deep.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Finney-Smith (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact The veteran forward joins a long list of players on the Lakers' injury report, as Tuesday is the front end of a back-to-back. Depending on who's available, the likes of Jarred Vanderbilt, Jordan Goodwin and Dalton Knecht could all be set to take on an expanded role against Oklahoma City.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Reverting back to bench Sunday Finney-Smith won't start in Sunday's game against the Thunder, Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact The veteran forward will slide to the second unit due to Rui Hachimura (knee) returning to game action. Finney-Smith has averaged 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 31.6 minutes per game in his last five outings.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE