His future with the team is suddenly up in the air. Changes in the making for player movement, combined with recent news around the league, have led to this remarkable turnaround. As the NBA offseason unfolds, JJ Redick, who coached Finney-Smith during the playoffs, utilized him for an average of 34 minutes per game. This extra playing time underscores just how valuable of a piece Finney-Smith has become to this Mavs team — especially in do-or-die situations.
Over the course of his time with LA, Finney-Smith averaged 28.8 minutes a night. His offensive play wasn’t doubted, but his shooting precision from three-point territory during the entire showcase still impressed. Under the radar, he managed an efficient 39.8% clip on 3-pointers. Despite this overall proficiency, that didn’t stop speculation from ballooning around his long-term future with the franchise.
In a bit of parallel news, superstar LeBron James just went supernova. He made the decision to pick up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. This move was telegraphed by Rich Paul, James’ agent, earlier this week in a statement to ESPN. The news solidifies James’ commitment to the Lakers and adds a layer of intrigue to the team’s roster dynamics moving forward.
The double whammy of Finney-Smith’s playoff emergence and James’ announcement makes for a tricky tale for the Lakers. For the Mavericks, Finney-Smith has proven to be a key player in tight playoff games. Now, with James already set to return, the focus shifts to how his situation will ultimately play out on his contract.
These big changes leave Lakers’ management plenty to consider as they plan for next season, so expect them to tread lightly here. Finney-Smith’s shooting and defensive skills could play a pivotal role in their pursuit of another championship, depending on how they choose to handle their contract negotiations.
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