Dorian Finney-Smith problem continues to haunt the Rockets

As the Houston Rockets navigated this offseason, the purpose behind their signings of players like Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith was crystal clear: bring in depth to bolster a roster that projected to be one of the most dangerous in the league.

Now, even with starting point guard Fred VanVleet likely to miss the entire season, the Rockets still project to be that in some capacity, and they need Finney-Smith back as soon as possible to provide additional defense and perimeter shooting.

Although Houston does have dynamic players such as Tari Eason who will come off the bench, their relative lack of viable perimeter shooting across the rotation is a major concern, and, the longer that Finney-Smith remains out, the more glaring this weakness will become.

The Rockets need Dorian Finney-Smith to come back as soon as possible

In acquiring Kevin Durant in a trade this offseason with the Phoenix Suns, Houston knew that they were landing themselves the superstar scorer they needed to elevate this roster into genuine title contention.

Yet, at the same time, they gave up Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in the trade: two players that not only were starters for the team but were both reliable perimeter shooters. Last season, Brooks shot a remarkable 39.7% from beyond the arc, while Green shot, an albeit less remarkable, 35.4%.

While the team obviously did add Durant, who shot 43% from 3-point range last season, they are left virtually without reliable shooters (especially with VanVleet out) throughout the rest of their rotation, and Finney-Smith's signing was meant to be a move to address this weakness.

Yet, Finney-Smith is set to miss the start of the season while he rehabs from an ankle surgery he underwent this offseason, and, as of now, there is no definite timeline for his return to action.

Therefore, not only will the team miss out on Finney-Smith's services through the earliest portions of the season, but Finney-Smith will have missed out on vital time ingratiating himself into the Rockets' system and earning the trust of head coach Ime Udoka.

Through 63 games between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers last season, Finney-Smith again flashed why he is considered one of the best 3-and-D players in the league, knocking down 41.1% of his shots from beyond the arc.

While it remains to be seen if he will be able to maintain this level of production in Houston, he is certainly the perfect archetype to fit into their rotation, and his early-season absence could be felt a lot harder than many fans might anticipate.