Rockets Sign 41.1% Wing To $53 Million Deal, Completing Heist

Finney-Smith, who turns 32 this season, averaged 8.7 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28.9 minutes per game in 2024-25. His impact often showed in on/off stats. With the Lakers, Los Angeles had a net rating of +11.1 when he played — the best on the roster — compared to a -3.5 when he sat.

Finney-Smith’s arrival directly addresses the void left by Dillon Brooks. Brooks, known for his physical defense and steady shooting, departed in the trade that brought Kevin Durant to Houston. Finney-Smith can guard big wings and stretch the floor at a high clip, maintaining the defensive grit Houston needs next to Durant.

Loaded Depth And Big Plans

Fred VanVleet’s restructured deal gave the Rockets the non-taxpayer mid-level exception they used here. That spending power allowed them to close the Finney-Smith deal swiftly and prevent other suitors from driving up the price.

Houston now projects a loaded starting five of VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. Reserves like Finney-Smith, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, and Reed Sheppard round out one of the West’s deepest rotations. Last season, Houston’s defense ranked top five leaguewide. Keeping that defensive bite was crucial, and this signing helps preserve it.

Texas Ties Help Close The Deal

Finney-Smith spent his first six-plus years in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks. His familiarity with Texas living reportedly helped seal the agreement. For a player who values stability, Houston made perfect sense.

He’ll join a franchise that just won 52 games and finished second in the West. The Rockets expect Durant’s scoring and Finney-Smith’s shooting to create ideal spacing to boost an offense that sometimes lagged last year.

A Heist Done Right

Few expected Houston to move so quickly for Finney-Smith. By offering Dorian Finney-Smith this deal, the Rockets closes a clear gap while weakening a top rival in Los Angeles. It’s a decisive, well-timed move as the Rockets continue to position themselves among the league’s rising contenders.