Lakers Could Lose Crucial Free Agent to Cavaliers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the offseason with all sorts of questions surrounding the roster. Los Angeles has to add to the frontcourt if it wants to be fully considered a contender in the Western Conference.
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But in addition, the Lakers do have a few critical players primed to enter free agency. The biggest name is veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith, who has a player-option for $15.3 million for next year.
Finney-Smith was key to the Lakers clinching the No. 3 seed in the West entering the playoffs, and he completely helped turn the team around. The veteran is a true 3-and-D player and someone that the Lakers very much enjoyed having on the roster.
It remains to be seen what Finney-Smith will do with his contract option, but some around the league believe he could enter free agency. And while the Lakers will try their best to keep Finney-Smith in town, the veteran could draw major interest elsewhere.
According to NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, Finney-Smith is a "dream target" of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"If the Cavs prefer to keep the core intact and want to add some toughness and defense around the edges, more affordable options are available. Finney-Smith would be a superb 3-and-D starting power forward if Jarrett Allen is traded and the Cavaliers move Mobley to center."
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Terrence Shannon Jr. #00 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores on a layup in front of Austin Reaves #15, LeBron James #23 and Dorian Finney-Smith #17 of the Los Angeles...
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Terrence Shannon Jr. #00 of the Minnesota Timberwolves scores on a layup in front of Austin Reaves #15, LeBron James #23 and Dorian Finney-Smith #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 111-102 Lakers win at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. ( More
Photo byFinney-Smith could be a solid option for almost any team, but the Cavaliers would make some sense. Cleveland will be looking to add more talent to the roster following an early playoff exit, and bringing in more wing depth could help.
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The veteran averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game over 43 games with the Lakers. While with the Brooklyn Nets before the trade to Los Angeles, Finney-Smith put up slightly better numbers, being more of a focal point, averaging 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
Despite this, Finney-Smith seemed to fit in well alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, giving more thought to the Lakers trying to bring him back. But if the two sides can't agree on a new deal, Finney-Smith could be one of the more talked-about names on the open market.
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For more on the Lakers, Cavaliers, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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