NBA Free Agency Roundup: Hornets Land Finney-Smith, Lakers Monitor Kuminga, Timberwolves Seek Frontcourt Help
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CHARLOTTE — The Houston Rockets have agreed to send forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three future second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Details of the trade
• Charlotte receives Memphis’ 2027 second-round pick and Houston’s own second-round selections in 2028 and 2033.
• Finney-Smith, 31, signed a four-year contract with Houston last summer but averaged only 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds on 33.3% shooting in 37 appearances after ankle surgery.
The move trims salary for Houston, which has already reached agreements with Tari Eason, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović. The Rockets are now positioned to access the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception instead of the taxpayer version.
Charlotte, meanwhile, expands its draft cache to 20 second-round picks over the next seven years while adding a low-risk veteran wing.
Lakers continue roster search
Despite a busy opening week of free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers are still pursuing wing depth and remain interested in Jonathan Kuminga, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Los Angeles has already acquired Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton. Stein and Fischer added that the Cavaliers and Bucks have explored sign-and-trade options for Kuminga, and Atlanta has not ruled out re-signing him after previously declining his option.
Timberwolves miss on Kenrich Williams
The Minnesota Timberwolves were among the teams that targeted forward Kenrich Williams before he chose to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a one-year, $5 million contract, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and SKOR North reported.
Minnesota is still looking to reinforce its frontcourt after parting ways with Julius Randle and Naz Reid earlier in the offseason.
Source: Hoops Wire
