LAST REPORT: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers’ Costly Gamble on $53 Million Houston Rockets Star Could Backfire in 2025 Season before the……. see more
Opponents may exploit mismatches without Finney‑Smith |
| Overreliance on new signings | Ayton, others may struggle to justify high investment |
| Conference competition | Rockets now boast a dominant lineup with Durant & Finney‑Smith |
Analysts cite the absence of Finney‑Smith as a “critical misstep,” with concerns that his departure wasn’t compensated for adequately by the Lakers’ additions ([The Times of India][1]).
* One Lakers-centric news site deemed the franchise’s summer “high stakes” because of limitations from their cap constraints and signings that might not measure up to opponents’ upgrades ([washingtonpost.com][3]).
* On Reddit, Lakers fans and hardcore NBA observers have voiced skepticism over the Dončić‑for‑AD trade’s long‑term value, questioning the Lakers’ front office decisions in pursuit of instant succe
The Lakers’ acquisition of the \$53 million Rockets star (Dorian Finney‑Smith) was billed as transformative—but the reality may look different. Letting Finney‑Smith walk, coupled with the pressure on new signees to perform immediately, sets a high-risk scenario. With Houston trending aggressively upward and L.A.’s depth arguably compromised, there’s a real possibility that this costly gamble comes up short in 2025.
Have you heard which specific Rockets player this signing refers to—or any other trade rumors heading into training camp? Let’s keep tabs on how this shakes out.
* [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/nba-trade-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-costly-gamble-on-53-million-houston-rockets-star-could-backfire-in-2025-season/articleshow/123030720.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [SBNation.com](https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/7/3/24460781/nba-free-agency-rumors-dorian-finney-smith-luka-doncic-friendship-lakers-beef-rockets?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/02/nba-free-agency-winners-and-losers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/nba-trade-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-costly-gamble-on-53-million-houston-rockets-star-could-backfire-in-2025-season/articleshow/123030720.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com “NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers’ Costly Gamble on $53 Million Houston Rockets Star Could Backfire in 2025 Season”
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/7/3/24460781/nba-free-agency-rumors-dorian-finney-smith-luka-doncic-friendship-lakers-beef-rockets?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Lakers rumors about Dorian Finney-Smith’s exit are swirling. What will Luka Doncic think of them?”
washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/02/nba-free-agency-winners-and-losers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “NBA free agency winners and losers: Rockets going big; Bucks going nowhe chatgpt.com “Houston Rockets: Offseason moves show team is gunning for an NBA title”
