According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are bracing for impact of the reality that Dorian Finney-Smith will no longer be a member of their organization. He is most likely to sign with the Houston Rockets.

There is league-wide anticipation of Finney-Smith being lured away from Los Angeles to come to Houston to play for the Rockets. They are expected to give the defensive-minded player a four-year deal to persuade him.

Finney-Smith declined his $15.4 million player option with the Lakers to test free agency. He’s seen as the perfect fit for Houston, as the Rockets would allow him to come off the bench and be a productive tool for their second unit.

The Rockets have been looking to lock down their front court with a 3-and-D veteran. Free agency begins Monday at 6 PM EST.

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers were informed by Austin Reaves that he is not signing their proposed extension offer for $90 million. He will bet on himself this season to prove he’s worth more – whether that’s from the Lakers or another organization.

Reaves is in the final year of his contract, which means he will be an unrestricted free agent for next year’s offseason. The third option for Los Angeles is close to finishing his four-year, $54 million contract he signed back in 2023.

Next offseason, competing with the rest of the league, the Lakers can offer him a max of $246.7 million over five years. This has been confirmed by ESPN.

Despite having the opportunity to test himself out in free agency next offseason, Reaves has said he wants to remain loyal to the team that gave him a shot.

“I want to be in LA. I want to play my whole career in LA. I love it there. I love the fans. Love the weather, love the golf,” Reaves told K8 News. “And obviously the Lakers are the best organization in basketball.”

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers are wanting to upgrade their center position with some veteran talent and leadership. This has drawn their attention to players like Brook Lopez.

In addition to targeting Lopez, other players such as Clint Capela and Al Horford have caught their attention. Rob Pelinka has made it his mission to give added security to the front court and make both Luka Doncic and LeBron James happy.

All three players are unrestricted free agents this offseason, so Los Angeles will not have to sacrifice pieces to acquire one of them through a trade.

Capela’s future with the Atlanta Hawks seems over due to them trading for Kristaps Porzingis and selecting Asa Newell in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Horford may look to move on with the team going in a different direction financially and wanting to get younger. The Boston Celtics continue to navigate through their salary cap and luxury tax messes.

Same can be applied to the Milwaukee Bucks, as they want to get younger and free up themselves up financially.

“There’s names like Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, Al Horford out there in free agency,” said Shams Charania on Get Up. “Will it be that route or the trade route? That’s what everyone in L.A. and everyone around the league is waiting on.”

Los Angeles’ current center room consists of Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes, and Alex Len.