Houston Evaluates Dorian Finney-Smith’s Market as It Seeks Backcourt Help
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Houston’s front office has begun testing the trade market to determine what Dorian Finney-Smith and future second-round picks might yield, sources told Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
The 32-year-old forward, signed last summer as a three-and-D option, missed the season’s first two months while recovering from left ankle surgery. Since debuting on Dec. 25, Finney-Smith has averaged 2.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.5 minutes across 12 games, with his playing time ranging from 13 to 18 minutes.
Finney-Smith is earning $12.7 million this season and holds a guaranteed $13.3 million salary for 2026-27. His deal runs through 2028-29, though the final two years are non-guaranteed. Limited box-score production is expected to cap his trade value, yet Houston owns a plus-9.5 net rating and a 102.1 defensive rating in the 186 minutes he has been on the floor.
League personnel have identified several guards on Houston’s radar, including Jose Alvarado (Pelicans) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (Grizzlies), according to ClutchPoints. Bulls guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are also mentioned, but acquiring either would likely require more than Finney-Smith and second-rounders.
Siegel notes Memphis has shown no indication it plans to move Pippen, and his $2.3 million salary would force additional outgoing money from the Grizzlies in any swap. Alvarado, earning $4.5 million, is viewed as New Orleans’ most movable player and has drawn interest from multiple clubs, including New York and Detroit. However, the Pelicans are just $2 million below the luxury-tax threshold and are reluctant to add long-term salary, making a direct deal for Finney-Smith unlikely without extra pieces.
Houston is not shopping veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, who is rehabbing a torn ACL, and is disinclined to pursue any move that would shrink rookie Reed Sheppard’s role, Siegel adds.
Source: Hoops Rumors
