The Houston Rockets’ acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith is not tied to the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade that is still unfolding, according to a report by John Hollinger of The Athletic.
Finney-Smith agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with Houston after opting out of his $15.4 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers. While speculation arose about the Lakers potentially receiving compensation in a sign-and-trade for the veteran forward, Hollinger clarified, “Unfortunately for LA, there doesn’t seem to be any traction on that — and I don’t anticipate this reality changing.”
The Rockets and Phoenix Suns are in advanced talks to expand Durant’s trade into a record-setting seven-team deal that also involves the Hawks, Nets, Warriors, Lakers, and Timberwolves. However, league sources told The Athletic that Finney-Smith is not part of that complex arrangement.
Instead, Houston plans to sign Finney-Smith outright using their midlevel exception. Hollinger explained, “The reason that deal would go down is, in part, so they could acquire Finney-Smith with a straight signing… and why would they choose to send a player or draft pick to the Lakers when they don’t have to?”
In the potential seven-team structure, Clint Capela is expected to land in Houston via a sign-and-trade, freeing the team to use its midlevel exception on Finney-Smith without exceeding cap limitations.
The deal, once finalized, would surpass last year’s six-team Klay Thompson trade as the largest in NBA history. At its center remains Durant, who joins a Rockets roster that won 52 games last season and features Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr.
Phoenix, which missed the playoffs this year, is receiving Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, draft assets, and young talent as part of its retooling effort.
Finney-Smith averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 41.1 percent from three-point range last season with Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Known for his defensive versatility, the forward recently underwent ankle surgery but is expected to be ready for training camp.
Los Angeles reportedly offered only a two-year deal, prioritizing cap flexibility for a potential marquee free agent in 2027, which opened the door for Houston to secure Finney-Smith with a longer commitment and defined role.
