Report: Lakers' Finney-Smith turns down $15.4M option for free agency

Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith will test the open market after declining his $15.4-million option for 2025-26, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Finney-Smith will reportedly attract interest from multiple contenders once permitted to negotiate with teams Monday at 6 p.m. ET. However, he could also return to the Lakers on a new deal.

The 32-year-old was traded to Los Angeles in December by the Brooklyn Nets and immediately became one of the most impactful defenders on JJ Redick's squad. Finney-Smith's 109.1 defensive rating was the best mark by any Laker to play at least 400 minutes last season.

In 43 regular-season games with L.A., the nine-year vet averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and shot 39.8% on 4.8 attempts from deep.

Finney-Smith's importance to the Lakers became even more pronounced during their short-lived first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the 70 minutes he was off the court in the five-game series, the Lakers posted a dismal minus-17.3 net rating. The only stretch worse for L.A. came during the 32 minutes without Luka Doncic, the fewest of any Laker, when the team posted a minus-17.5.

Finney-Smith's option decision contrasts with that of teammate LeBron James, who exercised his $ 52.6 million salary for next season on Sunday. However, James' longtime agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, acknowledged that all three parties could explore a possible separation ahead of next season if the superstar forward doesn't believe the Lakers can meet his goal of contending for a title in 2026.