With the NBA’s non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NT-MLE) potentially available to Houston after restructuring Fred VanVleet’s contract, ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks said he views Dorian Finney-Smith as an optimal free agency target for the Rockets.
“The first (move Houston should make) is to sign Dorian Finney-Smith — if he opts out of his contract with the Lakers — to a two-year, $28-million contract,” Marks wrote Sunday. “The restructured VanVleet contract (they reduced his $44.9-million team option by nearly $20 million) gives Houston the flexibility to use the full NT-MLE and not exceed the first apron.”
Marks was previously an assistant general manager with the Brooklyn Nets.
As for Finney-Smith, he did indeed opt out of his contract with the Lakers. A versatile 6-foot-7 forward, the 32-year-old averaged 8.7 points (41.1% on 3-pointers) and 3.9 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game last season.
In confirmation of Marks’ sentiment, The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported later Sunday that the Rockets “have emerged as a viable free agent landing spot for Finney-Smith.”
For Houston, a priority is believed to be replacing at least some of the attributes of Dillon Brooks, who was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of the blockbuster trade for All-Star forward Kevin Durant. Brooks was a steady, veteran presence and a versatile defender who could defend both perimeter players and select big men, such as San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. Yet, he also shot 3-pointers at a nearly 40% clip, meaning that he still provided value on offense as a floor spacer.
In theory, Finney-Smith — a solid, veteran defender with size, some physicality, and 3-point ability — could replace at least some of those attributes.
The Rockets will be able to negotiate and potentially reach verbal agreements with external free agents at 5:00 p.m. Central on Monday afternoon. It sounds like Finney-Smith will be among their first calls, assuming he doesn’t reach a new agreement with Los Angeles before then.
Finney-Smith does have ties to the state of Texas, having played the majority of his NBA career to date with the Dallas Mavericks.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Reports: Rockets a potential free agency match for Dorian Finney-Smith
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
