Hornets acquire Dorian Finney-Smith and 3 second-round picks from Rockets

The Charlotte Hornets have acquired veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three future second-round draft picks in a trade with the Houston Rockets. The deal, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, brings a 33-year-old player known for his 3-and-D capabilities to Charlotte.

Finney-Smith had a notable stint with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 43 games, shooting an impressive 39.8% from three-point range. However, after opting out of his player option with the Lakers, he signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Rockets.

His performance with Houston last season saw a significant decline. He played only 37 games, with his minutes dropping from 28.9 to 16.8 per game. His scoring fell to 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist, with his shooting percentages plummeting to 33.3% overall and 27.0% from beyond the arc. The Rockets' decision to trade him, attaching three second-round picks, effectively created a $13 million trade exception for the team.

The Hornets, meanwhile, continue to be active in the offseason, focusing on acquiring 3-and-D role players and accumulating future draft assets. With this trade, they now hold 20 second-round picks over the next seven years, the second-most tradable second-rounders in the league.