96.5 million in 4 years! Top 3D in NBA! The Lakers really can t keep it

According to NBA famous reporter Dave McMenamin, Lakers forward Finney Smith successfully underwent left ankle surgery and is expected to fully recover before training camp begins next season. Lakers fans said in the comment section: Finney Smith is such a good player, and he has not waited until the new season begins before surgery like Wood.

I don't know if you still remember that during the offseason last year, Wood suffered from a left knee injury. But he did not perform surgery in the summer, and it was delayed until mid-September, with only a dozen days left before Wood had left the Lakers training camp. Wood has been recuperating since then, and has not played a single game this season and was sacked on February 12.

Back to Finney Smith, ankle injury has troubled him for a long time and has been fighting with injuries this season. Finney Smith has a four-year contract of $56 million, and next season is a player option worth $15.38 million. He must decide before June 30, whether to implement the player option, or jump out of the contract and test the free market?

If Finney Smith executes the player options for next season, he can sign up to a four-year, $96.5 million contract extension with the Lakers after July 7 this year. Finney Smith was born on May 4, 1993, and will execute player options + renew contract for four years. When the contract expires in five years, Finney Smith will turn 37 years old.

Not to mention the others, just from the perspective of age, the Lakers will not give Finney Smith a four-year appointment. If the Lakers only offer a three-year contract, they will definitely raise their salary, which will not be lower than their current average salary ($14 million). It is more reasonable to have 50 million to 60 million in three years, but the Lakers are afraid that other teams will raise prices.

Fenney Smith played 43 games for the Lakers, including 20 of which started. He averaged 28.8 minutes per game, scored 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks, and shots from three events: 44.2%, 39.8%, and 71.4%. He may be the only player in the Lakers who have three points and defense.

In the playoffs, Finney Smith often reached the No. 5 position, and he was very tired, which affected his performance on the offensive end. Finney Smith played five playoff games, one of which started. He averaged 34 minutes per game, scored 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.4 blocks. His three shooting percentages were: 41.4%, 36.8%, and 0%.

Fenney Smith averaged plus-minus +4.9 per game in the regular season, ranking 26th in the league and ranked first among the Lakers. Reeves and Hachimura both have +2.7, tied for second in the Lakers. Vincent averaged plus-minus +0.7 per game, fourth in the Lakers, and the rest of his teammates were all negative: James -0.8 and Doncic -4.8.

On December 30, 2024, the Lakers sent Russell, Lewis and three second round picks, and obtained Finney Smith and Sheck Milton from the Nets' trade. Finney Smith averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks per game at the Nets this season, with three shooting percentages: 45.9%, 43.5%, and 62.5%.

What do you think Finney Smith's next contract will be?