Rockets Signing Dorian Finney-Smith To Four-Year Contract

The Houston Rockets are signing former Los Angeles Lakers free agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

The possibility of Finney-Smith ending up with Houston had been reported over the weekend, with the news gaining steam into Monday.

“Major acquisition to bolster Houston’s wing depth with Finney-Smith, who shot a career-high 41% from 3-point land and held All-Star players to 47% effective shooting in halfcourt, which ranked top-10 among players to defend 125+ shots last season,” Charania wrote.

Finney-Smith becomes the latest addition with the Rockets, who worked out a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant earlier in June.

Meanwhile, the Lakers were expecting to lose Finney-Smith, turning their attention elsewhere in free agency.

Sources tell The Athletic’s Dan Woike that Los Angeles has its eyes on several big men, including veteran Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela, and recently bought-out former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that all signs are pointing to the Lakers signing Ayton.

The Lakers will have access to the full $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and are expected to pursue a short-term deal in order to preserve future cap flexibility, particularly to find another star to pair with Luka Doncic and LeBron James.