“Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith is declining his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season and will enter free agency, sources tell ESPN,” Charania reported on X, formerly Twitter. “Multiple contending teams are expected to pursue Finney-Smith beginning Monday night and a Lakers return is possible.”

Finney-Smith will now play for a Rockets squad that is also gaining future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, as well as center Clint Capela. The Rockets will almost certainly be contenders this coming season, while the Lakers' immediate future is very uncertain, at least for now.

Dorian Finney-Smith could look elsewhere in free agency if the Los Angeles Lakers do not offer him a multi-year contract.