HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets struck swiftly to lock in Dorian Finney-Smith on a four-year, $53 million contract. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the agreement, which came together after Finney-Smith’s agent, Michael Tellem of Excel Sports, met with Rockets executives late Sunday. Dorian Finney-Smith’s deal represents a major step to reinforce the Rockets’ wing rotation with an elite 3-and-D piece. Finney-Smith is exactly the player Houston needs for our defensive identity.
Rockets Sign 41.1% Wing To $53 Million Deal, Completing Heist
The Lakers Lose Out
This signing stings for the Los Angeles Lakers, who surrendered three second-round picks, Maxwell Lewis, and D’Angelo Russell to acquire Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets. Now, they lose a player who shot a career-best 41.1% from deep while holding opposing All-Stars to 47% effective shooting in half-court situations. That defensive mark ranked top ten among players who defended 125 or more shots last season.
With Dorian Finney-Smith’s deal, the Rockets adds depth and hits a rival where it hurts.
Fit And Role With Houston
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.
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