The Houston Rockets made waves this offseason, and while the spotlight has rightfully been on the blockbuster addition of Kevin Durant, there’s another move that might quietly turn the tide for this team come playoff time: the acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith.
Finney-Smith, currently sidelined after undergoing offseason ankle surgery, is expected to make his Rockets debut in January. And when he does, he could be the missing piece that helps Houston take the next step from a competitive team to a legitimate title contender.
A Role Player Built for Big Moments
Finney-Smith isn’t a flashy name, but he’s the kind of player that championship teams always seem to have: a versatile, tough-nosed wing who defends at a high level, spaces the floor, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. He’s been that guy on playoff teams in Dallas, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles, and now he’s bringing that same brand of basketball to Houston.
The Rockets have gotten off to a strong start without him, sitting at 16-8 and holding the fifth seed in the Western Conference. But even with that success, there's a sense that this group has another gear it hasn’t hit yet. That’s where Finney-Smith comes in.
Okogie’s Holding It Down - But DFS Takes It Up a Notch
In Finney-Smith’s absence, Josh Okogie has stepped into the starting lineup and done a commendable job. He’s embraced the Rockets’ defensive identity and filled the gaps around the team’s high-usage stars.
Okogie doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and he’s knocking down open shots at a career-best clip - 41.3% from three this season. But that number jumps off the page precisely because it’s so far above his career average of 30.6%.
It’s fair to wonder whether that level of shooting is sustainable.
Finney-Smith, on the other hand, has a more consistent track record as a shooter - 36.2% from deep over his career - and brings a similar defensive intensity. He’s the kind of player who can take on the opposing team’s best wing and still stretch the floor on the other end. That’s a rare combination, and one that will fit seamlessly next to the Rockets’ stars.
A Perfect Fit Next to Houston’s Core
With Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson commanding so much attention on offense, there’s real value in having a player like Finney-Smith who knows how to play off the ball. He’ll get plenty of clean looks from three, especially when Sengun and Thompson are creating in the paint. And on defense, he’ll take on the toughest assignments, allowing Durant and Sengun to conserve energy for their offensive roles.
Last season, Finney-Smith was a stabilizing force on a Lakers team that leaned heavily on his defense. He’s not just a plug-and-play guy - he’s someone who elevates the lineups he’s in. That’s exactly what Houston needs as they try to turn close games into wins.
Close, But Not Quite - Yet
The Rockets’ last two games ended in overtime losses - a sign that they’re right on the edge of something special, but still need that final piece to push them over. Finney-Smith might be that piece. He won’t dominate the box score, but he’ll bring balance, toughness, and reliability to a team that’s already shown it can hang with the best in the West.
Once he returns, don’t be surprised if Houston starts climbing the standings. A top-two or top-three seed isn’t out of reach, especially with the kind of depth and defensive versatility Finney-Smith brings to the table. He may not be the headline act, but his impact could be the difference between a good season and a great one.