The recent decisions made by Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka have sparked considerable debate, particularly concerning the loss of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. On the first day of the 2025 NBA free agency, while other teams were making moves to strengthen their rosters, the Lakers came under fire for not acquiring the much-needed center and letting Finney-Smith slip away.
Finney-Smith, who declined his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, signed a four-year deal worth $53 million with Houston. His contributions to the Lakers last season included averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, with impressive shooting splits of .442 from the field and .398 from beyond the arc. Most notably, he developed a strong rapport with Luka Doncic, having been one of his closest teammates during their time together in Dallas.
In a notable report by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, it was revealed that Pelinka’s strategy was to preserve cap space for 2027, which drew sharp criticism from basketball analyst Kevin O’Connor. The rationale behind this decision raises eyebrows, especially considering that Pelinka might be planning to attract a max-salary free agent by that date, potentially Doncic himself, who could be eligible to sign an extension with the Lakers soon.
Questions loom over who exactly the Lakers are saving space for. Speculations include stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, but the uncertainty surrounding future free agency dampens the enthusiasm for this strategy. Critics argue that this approach overlooks the present potential of the team, especially with two generational talents like LeBron James and Doncic available to win now.
While Pelinka’s intentions seem to be aimed at long-term success, there is apprehension that waiting could mean squandering the prime years of these superstars. The debate continues on whether the focus should be on immediate championship contention or saving for a future that is not guaranteed.
For Lakers fans, the hope lies in a more immediate investment in the current roster. The organization faces a pivotal moment as they balance the present and future in their pursuit of another championship.