Dorian Finney-Smith could be on the trade block if Rockets prediction proves true

As the Houston Rockets look set to determine their fifth starter in training camp this season, a number of options throughout their rotation present themselves, including recent free agent acquisition Dorian Finney-Smith.

While there will be serious competition for this spot, especially from Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, Paulo Alves, on the recent episode of The Lager Line podcast, has made the case that starting Finney-Smith could be the right move as a result of how it will affect his trade value at the deadline.

Although Finney-Smith's 3-and-D skill-set likely would have already made him a strong contender for a starting spot, he is also quite possibly the most tradeable player on the team, and, if Houston needs to address another need throughout the season, pumping up his trade value could be the smartest move the team could make.

Dorian Finney-Smith's trade value could get a massive boost from a starting role

Finney-Smith, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal this offseason with the Rockets, presents another versatile wing to their rotation, bringing in veteran experience and additional perimeter shooting that could ultimately prove to be vital to their offense.

Yet, as Alves argues, Finney-Smith could also find himself on the trade block sooner rather than later: "[Finney-Smith] being on a near mid-level deal, he is flippable at the deadline, and he is at a position that the Rockets have a ton of talent at. So, him playing does bring pretty immediate valuable assets-wise if the Rockets [decide] to make a move at the deadline."

In fairness, Finney-Smith's skill-set, and the general lack of reliable perimeter shooting in Houston's starting lineup, could provide the veteran power forward with a chance to slot in alongside Kevin Durant in the team's frontcourt.

At the same time, however, a player like Smith Jr. has much more experience within the Rockets' system and provides a physical edge that someone like Finney-Smith would not.

The Rockets are playing to win this season, and, most probably, the starting role will come down to who gives the team the best chance to compete. Yet, at the same time, serious consideration should be given to the fact that Finney-Smith could be a massive piece at the deadline to address an area with less depth such as the backcourt.

Finney-Smith, after shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc in just 20 games with the Brooklyn Nets last year, was dealt about a month before the deadline to the Los Angeles Lakers for Maxwell Lewis, D'Angelo Russell and a host of second-round draft capital.

If the Rockets see a deeper need on the team than what they have at the forward position, Finney-Smith's skill-set is always in demand across the NBA, and starting him early in the season could be the key to unlocking this value.