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Disappointment Follows Lakers' Free Agency Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 9:39 PM ET

With LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the fold, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to build a contender around the duo for the 2025-26 NBA season. However, at the start of free agency on Monday, the team actually took a step back.

Ahead of free agency, forward Dorian Finney-Smith opted out of his $15.4 million player option to test the open market. There were expectations that L.A. would try to keep him, especially since he gives the Lakers some much-needed defense.

Not to mention that Finney-Smith has good chemistry with Doncic, having played together in Dallas from 2018 to 2023.

However, Finney-Smith ended up going to the Houston Rockets at the start of free agency, agreeing to a four-year, $53 million deal to join a team that just reloaded by bringing in Kevin Durant.

After Shams Charania of ESPN reported the news, Lakers fans were quick to express their disappointment about the team losing the 32-year-old role player.

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

"Lakers shouldn’t have let him go," a fan wrote. Another one called out Lakers president and general manager Rob Pelinka, saying, "YOU HAD ONE JOB ROB SMHHH."

"Lakers cant even keep they own good players let alone get new good players. Smh," a disappointed follower remarked.

"Lakers in the mud," a commenter added.

"Rob Pelinka at his best. Give 3 2nds for a guy you let go in free agency. Brilliant," a social media user stated , referencing the Lakers' trade for Finney-Smith in 2024. At that time, Los Angeles gave up D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three future second-round draft picks for Finney Smith and Shake Milton.

A poster noted, "This is a huge loss for the Lakers."

It remains to be seen how the Lakers will replace Dorian Finney-Smith, a versatile defender who was a key contributor in their small-ball lineup last season. He averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 43 games with Los Angeles, while shooting 39.8% from deep.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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