The Rockets’ decision to move on from Dorian Finney-Smith already looks more expensive than it did in July.
Houston spent three second-round picks to get off Finney-Smith’s contract, a deal the team made in an offseason that was otherwise pretty quiet. Then, on September 22nd, Finney-Smith was dealt by the Hornets for Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard with no picks attached. In other words, Charlotte found a cleaner exit than Houston did - and Houston paid a steeper price to make its move.
That’s the part that stings for the Rockets. They handed over future draft capital to clear a contract that will pay Finney-Smith $40 million over the next 3 seasons, while the Hornets managed to turn him into actual pieces without giving up picks. Nembhard was waived almost immediately, but Hield at least brings the possibility of future value if he gets a chance to remind teams what his shooting can look like again.
From Houston’s side, there was logic behind the move. The Rockets were clearly trying to protect flexibility heading into a pivotal year, and they may have felt the need to act quickly before the market shifted. But waiting longer into the offseason might have opened the door to a better deal - or at least one that didn’t cost three second-rounders.
Charlotte also came away with a different kind of financial setup than Houston would have had to absorb. Nembhard’s $2 million contract will still count against the Hornets’ salary cap next season, even after the waiver. Hield’s $9.7 million salary for next season, plus a $10 million player option for the following year, is a much heavier piece to move.
Even so, Hield isn’t a dead-end asset. Since 2020, he has hit the second-most threes in the league, trailing only Stephen Curry. He’s not in his prime, but a shooter with that kind of track record can still draw attention from teams looking for help on the perimeter.
For Houston, though, taking Hield on would have been difficult. The Rockets already have a tight cap picture and a growing group of guards, which makes it hard to see where he would fit. That’s why avoiding his contract may still end up making sense for them - even if the route they took to get there cost them more than it should have.
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For Houston, the conversation matters because the Rockets are still sorting out their backcourt and trying to judge how aggressively to press their championship window. NBA insider Jake Fischer has floated the possibility of Irving moving before the deadline, and while no offer or decision has surfaced, the idea of a front-line talent becoming available is the kind of development that can quickly reshape the market for a team like the Rockets. [Read more 🡒]