The Los Angeles Lakers performed remarkably throughout the 2024-25 NBA season. They took a bold step by trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for star player Luka Doncic. Partnered with LeBron James, Doncic played a pivotal role in guiding the Lakers to the playoffs. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves thwarted their ambitions for a championship in the first round.
The Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship title in the NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers. Now, attention has turned to the active offseason trade market. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Shams Charania has shared some intriguing information about a Lakers player, sparking discussion among fans and analysts alike.
“The other concern there is Dorian Finney Smith, his free-agency. What interest is out there for him. He’s got a player-option that he’s gotta decide by the end of the month,” Charania said in the recent episode of Get Up on ESPN.
Dorian Finney-Smith is considering declining his player option with the Lakers and entering free agency, per ESPN pic.twitter.com/TNgMLc5oPB
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 26, 2025
Dorian Finney-Smith is now mulling over the possibility of rejecting his player option with the Lakers, aiming to explore free agency opportunities. This decision could potentially lead to significant shifts in his career trajectory.
Lakers’ Austin Reaves Makes Key Move Regarding Contract Extension
Austin Reaves demonstrated outstanding skills for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 NBA season. He played in 73 regular-season games, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
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Reaves’ shooting efficiency was impressive, with a field goal percentage of 46%, 37.7% from three-point range, and 87.7% from the free-throw line. Recently, he created significant buzz in the NBA by declining a lucrative maximum contract extension offer from the Lakers, worth $89.2 million over four years, as Dan Woike of The Athletic reported.
“League sources told The Athletic that Reaves formally declined a max extension with the Lakers this week that would’ve paid him $89.2 million over the next four seasons. He’s about to start the third year of a four-year, $54 million contract he signed as a restricted free agent in 2023 — also the max number he could receive from the Lakers at the time,” Dan Woike wrote in his recent reports.
Austin Reaves has declined a max contract extension offer from the Los Angeles Lakers that would have paid him $89.2 million over four seasons, per @DanWoikeSports
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 26, 2025
(h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/JHuA61zOz7
Woike clarified that Reaves’ choice was independent of his ties to the Lakers. Instead, it was a nearly certain result stemming from the limitations on the financial offer the Lakers could extend this week.
Also Read: REPORT: Los Angeles Lakers Still Showing ‘Significant Interest’ In Pursuit Of Promising Young Center
