Lakers Gain $14.1M Flexibility After Dorian Finney-Smith Exit, Weigh Austin Reaves Future

The Los Angeles Lakers face significant roster decisions ahead of the 2025 NBA offseason, particularly concerning Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith is expected to decline his $15.4 million option, allowing the Lakers to access $14.1 million in mid-level exception space to pursue a true center, with Deandre Ayton emerging as the premier free agent target after a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves has rejected a four-year, $90 million extension, indicating a preference to negotiate a bigger deal next summer, but his potential trade to the San Antonio Spurs is being discussed as a way for the Lakers to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency. Lakers legend Paul Pierce supports trading Reaves, citing a need for more defensive-minded players and athleticism alongside LeBron James, while acknowledging Reaves fits better with players like Luka Doncic. Although the Lakers have considered other centers like Brook Lopez and Clint Capela, Ayton's availability and the cap space freed by Finney-Smith's departure have shifted the Lakers' strategy toward an aggressive pursuit of Ayton in free agency. These moves underscore the Lakers' urgency to retool their roster around LeBron James' potentially final season and position themselves better for future competitiveness.