The forward is reportedly declining his $15.4 million player option ahead of the 2025-26 season in order to enter free agency, per ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday.
Finney-Smith split last season between the Brooklyn Nets (20 games) and the Los Angeles Lakers (43), who traded for him in December.
Through 63 games between both clubs, the 31-year-old averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Meanwhile, he made 2.0 threes per game on a 41.1 per cent clip.
According to Charania, multiple contending teams are expected to pursue the veteran forward set to enter his 10th season in the NBA.
Finney-Smith started his career with the Dallas Mavericks after going undrafted ahead of the 2016-17 season. Through 591 games between the Mavericks, Nets and Lakers, he’s averaged 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
Meanwhile, Finney-Smith wasn’t the only Lakers forward to make the news on Sunday, as franchise star LeBron James did as well when he reportedly decided to opt in to his $52.6 million player option.
