Rockets 2025-2026 NBA Player Previews Analyzing Dorian Finney-Smith’s Impact
The Houston Rockets made a significant acquisition for the upcoming NBA season by signing Dorian Finney-Smith, previously with the Los Angeles Lakers. The signing happened after the Lakers reportedly struggled with negotiations, allowing the Rockets to secure Finney-Smith under the mid-level salary exception. He will earn approximately $13 million annually over the next three seasons and has a player option for the 2028-29 season.
Dorian Finney-Smith: Rockets’ New Addition
Finney-Smith joins the Rockets as a strategic replacement for Dillon Brooks, fulfilling a similar role as a classic 3-and-D player. Despite Brooks achieving a career-high three-point shooting percentage of around 40%, Finney-Smith’s shooting statistic slightly surpasses that at 41%, indicating his capability to match and possibly exceed Brooks’ performance in this area.
Player Comparisons and Career Overview
Finney-Smith, aged 31, and Brooks, turning 30 soon, share close age proximity, making their skill levels comparably even. Finney-Smith averages about 65 games per season, consistently playing around 60-70 games in past seasons. In contrast, Brooks averages slightly fewer games, although he’s considered dependable.
Defensive Metrics and Career Highlights
When analyzed using defensive plus-minus metrics, Finney-Smith and Brooks both scored 0.0, the baseline for an average player. However, Finney-Smith often takes on challenging roles defending from wing to power forward positions. Despite an average defensive score, his ability to play multiple roles strengthens the Rockets’ lineup.
Expectations and Performance Projections
Finney-Smith ranks 74th for defensive plus-minus among players in the NBA. For a mid-level exception (MLE) player offering shooting and fair rebounding, this ranking is commendable. At 6’7”, Finney-Smith integrates well with powerful offensive threats on the team, such as Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
- Expected Games Played: 60
- Per 36 Minutes Stats:
- Points: 10.7
- Rebounds: 5.8
- Assists: 1.9
- Steals: 1.1
- Blocks: 0.6
Injury Concerns and Team Depth
Post off-season ankle surgery, Finney-Smith needs recovery time, yet the Rockets anticipate his return in weeks. The team has substantial depth in the Big Wing/Power Forward position, enabling them to cope with possible short-term loss of playing time from Finney-Smith.
Overall, Dorian Finney-Smith’s addition to the Rockets is expected to fill the void left by Dillon Brooks efficiently. His defensive skills, coupled with above-average shooting, ensure a resilient team performance in the upcoming NBA season.
