Finney-Smith undergoes left ankle surgery! The Lakers' contract extension plan is out: up to 4 years

Lakers forward Finney-Smith has undergone left ankle surgery and is expected to recover and participate in training before the start of the 2025-26 NBA training camp. The surgery aims to address the chronic ankle injury he has been dealing with with over the past several seasons. By cleaning up the lesion, the 32-year-old Finney-Smith is expected to get rid of the pain in future games.

After being traded from the Nets to the Lakers, Finney-Smith missed 8 games due to "left ankle injury management". During his time with the Nets, he had missed 12 games due to left calf discomfort caused by left ankle issues.

Despite being plagued by injuries, he was still a key figure in the Lakers locking up the Western Conference's No. 3 seed and achieving their first 50-win season since 2019-20. On December 29 last year, the Lakers acquired him and Milton by trading Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks. Since then, in the 43 regular-season games Finney-Smith played for the Lakers, the team went 29-14 (and 14-6 in the 20 games he started).

In the playoffs, Lakers coach Redick adjusted the starting lineup in Game 4 of the first round against the Timberwolves: he replaced Hayes with Finney-Smith at the beginning of the third quarter, and the latter played the entire second half. Although the team lost 113-116, Redick continued to start him in Game 5 (the decisive game of the series, where the Lakers lost 96-103).

As a 3D player, Finney-Smith's value to the Lakers is significant. Last season, the Lakers ranked 11th in the league in offensive efficiency and 17th in defensive efficiency. He is also an important player in the locker room and a trusted partner of Doncic - the two started their careers with the Mavericks and are now teammates again.

The 9-year NBA veteran averaged 7.9 points (44.2% shooting, 39.8% from three-point range), 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists for the Lakers last season.

Finney-Smith needs to decide whether to opt out of the $15.4 million player option for next season by June 30 (Beijing time, same below). He is eligible to renew his contract with the Lakers before the free agency period opens on July 1.

According to ESPN salary expert Marks' analysis: from the day after the NBA Finals end to June 29, the Lakers can offer him a three-year, $54 million contract extension; from June 30 to July 1, the Lakers can offer a four-year, $90.2 million contract (the original player option will be replaced by the new salary); if he chooses to exercise the player option, after the free agency freeze period ends on July 7, the Lakers can sign him to a maximum four-year, $96.5 million contract.