Finney Smith undergoes left ankle surgery! Lakers renewal plan is released: up to 4 years of signing 96.5 million

On June 13, Lakers forward Finney Smith has undergone left ankle surgery and is expected to recover and participate in training before the 2025-26 NBA training camp begins. The operation is designed to address an old ankle injury that he has been with for the past few seasons. By clearing the lesions, 32-year-old Finney Smith is expected to get rid of pain in future games.

Fenney Smith missed eight games due to "left ankle injury management". During his time at the Nets, he had left calf discomfort due to left ankle problem and missed 12 games.

Despite the impact of injuries, he is still a key figure in the Lakers' third seed in the West and won their first 50-win season since the 2019-20 season. On December 29 last year, the Lakers won him and Milton by trading Russell, Lewis and three second round picks. Since then, in the 43 regular season games where Finney Smith played, the Lakers have achieved a record of 29 wins and 14 losses (in his 20 games in the starting lineup, the team has 14 wins and 6 losses).

In the playoffs, Lakers coach Redick adjusted his starting lineup in Game 4 of the first round against the Timberwolves: he replaced Hayes with Finney Smith in the first quarter, and he played the second half, although the team lost 113-116. Redick continued to start in Game 5 (that is, the final victory of the series, the Lakers lost 96-103).

As a 3D player, Finney Smith has a significant value to the Lakers. 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 in the Mavericks and are now teammates again.

This 9-year NBA veteran averaged 7.9 points per game (44.2% shooting percentage and 39.8% from three-point shooting percentage), 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season.

Fenney Smith needs to decide whether to jump out of the contract option worth $15.4 million next season before June 30 (the same below). He is eligible to renew his contract with the Lakers before the free agent market opens on July 1.

According to ESPN salary expert Marks analysis: from the day after the end of the NBA Finals to June 29, the Lakers can provide him with a three-year, $54 million contract; from June 30 to July 1, the Lakers can provide a four-year, $90.2 million contract (the original player option will be replaced by a new salary);

If he chooses to execute the player option, after the free agent freeze period ends on July 7, the Lakers can sign a four-year, $96.5 million contract with him.