\u201cThe Rockets, with Dorian Finney-Smith, suddenly have elite length and defensive athleticism at the wing,\u201d USA TODAY\u2019s Lorenzo Reyes writes.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t the most flashy signing, but the 2025-26 Houston Rockets<\/a> could reap big rewards from landing veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency.<\/p>\n Per Lorenzo Reyes of USA TODAY<\/a>, it\u2019s the exact type of addition that could help the Rockets compete with the defending Western Conference and NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n In a column exploring five \u201cunder-the-radar moves\u201d that could potentially determine the league\u2019s 2026 champion, Reyes writes<\/a>:<\/p>\n This move was overshadowed by\u00a0the trade to land Kevin Durant<\/a>, but signing Dorian Finney-Smith feels like a move that was done in response to the rise of the Thunder. The Rockets, with Finney-Smith, suddenly have elite length and defensive athleticism at the wing, which should align with clamping Oklahoma City players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Finney-Smith can also hit 3s \u2014 he shot a career-best 41.1% from beyond the arc last season \u2014 so he helps spread the floor for Houston.<\/p>\n Another move worthy of consideration here is re-signing center Steven Adams, who allows the Rockets to play a two-big lineup, matching up with the Thunder duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.<\/p>\n The Rockets were a top-five defense<\/a> last season, and adding Finney-Smith to the likes of Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Josh Okogie offers considerable defensive potential on the wing. Furthermore, Finney-Smith\u2019s arrival could offset the loss of veteran forward Dillon Brooks, who went to Phoenix as part of the Durant trade package.<\/p>\n Finally, it\u2019s also worth noting who Houston \u2014 which finished at No. 2 in the West last season \u2014 signed Finney-Smith away from.<\/p>\n By adding Finney-Smith, the Rockets (52-30) weakened the team directly behind them in the West standings, the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> (50-32, No. 3). In addition, as Reyes pointed out, the signing should help them match up with the team directly in front of them.<\/p>\n For general manager Rafael Stone, finding that type of competitive advantage \u2014 in one fell swoop \u2014 versus two of Houston\u2019s primary West rivals could prove critical.<\/p>\n