The 3D champion jumped out of the contract and the Lakers were not panicked! One move may sign first and then change, dig the center to assist James in the championship

As the free agent market begins, James will implement the $52.6 million player option next season, which will start his 23rd season of his career. Finney Smith refused to execute the $15.4 million player option next season, thus entering the free agent market. According to famous reporter Charane, multiple championship teams will pursue him, but the possibility of him returning to the Lakers remains.

Will the Lakers lose this 3D champion in vain? In December 2024, the Lakers traded Finney Smith and Milton from the Nets with Russell, Lewis and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2031). If Finney Smith leaves as a free agent, then the Lakers spend 3 second round picks for his half-year lease period, which is indeed a bit of a loss.

However, with Finney Smith breaking out of the contract, the Lakers have a full middle-class contract worth $14.1 million. There may be many aspects of operations regarding Finney Smith's future. One is that Finney Smith renews a long contract with the Lakers. The Lakers can renew their 4-year and $96.5 million. But it is obvious that the Lakers cannot give him such a big contract.

In the 2024-25 season, Finney Smith played 43 regular season games for the Lakers, averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game, and a three-point shooting percentage of 39.8%. Finney Smith played 5 games in the playoffs, averaging 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.2 steals per game, shooting percentage of 41.4% and three-point shooting percentage of 36.8%.

For Finney Smith, testing the free agent market is a favorable choice for him, and it will help him increase his value when multiple teams are chasing him. According to follow-up reports from famous reporter Jack Fisher, league sources revealed that the Houston Rockets have become a viable potential next home for Finney Smith.

Fenney Smith is currently 32 years old. If he wants to get his team, he should be a team that competes for the championship or a team that strives for the playoffs, and he may be more concentrated in the team that competes for the championship. Taking the Rockets as an example, the Rockets can provide Finney Smith with a full middle-class contract. However, if Finney Smith only meets the full middle class contract, it seems that there is no need to break out of the contract.

According to NBA reporter Josie Gozlan, the Rockets can give Finney Smith a contract higher than the full middle class, by signing first and then changing, with the bargaining chips including Whitmore and Landale. This may require a multi-party trade to bring a starting center to the Lakers.

For the Lakers, what the lineup needs most is a starting center. If you can sign first and then exchange, using Finney Smith as the bargaining chip, it is indeed a good choice. The Lakers selected forward Tiero with the No. 36 pick in this year's draft, a player similar to Anunobi. If Finney Smith leaves the Lakers, Thiero will get more playing time next season.

The Lakers have serious shortages in the center position. They not only need a starting center, but also need to introduce a reliable center substitute. Last season in the playoffs, Lakers coach Redick was helpless in using five small lineups for a long time, and there was really no center forward reliable. However, since the Lakers were eliminated in the playoffs, Pelinka has not dug up a center. Finney Smith's jumping out of the contract may not be a bad thing for the Lakers, after all, it has added a way to get the starting center.