Rockets Rumors: Team should avoid heavily rumored free agent target

The Houston Rockets have made a lot of moves this summer. That doesn't mean they're done. This team projects to have the Mid-Level Exception (MLE) available. That's enough money to sign a quality player.

Lots of names have been suggested. Some make more sense than others. A knockdown shooter in the backcourt would be a clear complement to this roster.

What about another wing?

That's a bit more questionable. The Rockets just retained Jabari Smith Jr. on a new deal. Tari Eason should see significant playing time next year. Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore may both primarily play at the 2, but they're each essentially wings.

Oh, and the Rockets traded for a wing this summer, if you didn't hear. After adding Kevin Durant, it would feel like a misallocation of resources to add another wing to this roster.

Yet, that's what the rumors suggest the Rockets could do.

Rockets linked to quality wing in latest rumors

In a subpar free agency class, Dorian Finney-Smith will be one of the most coveted players available. There have been suggestions that the Rockets like him. Jake Fischer of the Stein Line says Houston will be in the mix for his services.

Let's be clear - Finney-Smith is a good player. It's not even that he's a horrendous fit in Houston. Finney-Smith shot 41.1% from deep in 2024-25. He's a good shooter, and that automatically makes him an intriguing option for the Rockets:

But their money would be better spent elsewhere.

Rockets have more pressing needs

Firstly, it should be said that last year was comfortably the best shooting season of Finney-Smith's career. He's been wildly inconsistent from long range. Finney-Smith is as likely to be an offensive liability as he is a three-point sniper in a given season.

More broadly, shooting can't be measured by accuracy alone. Finney-Smith isn't a movement shooter. He won't diversify the Rockets' sets like other players could. He also doesn't possess the type of three-point shooting ability that teams scramble to cover.

That's the type of shooter the Rockets need. Even if it comes at the expense of the defensive versatility Finney-Smith provides, a truly elite shooter could add substantial juice to this offense.

What's more, there's the aforementioned wing depth. The Rockets might struggle to find playing time for a veteran who saw 28.9 minutes of action per game in 2024-25. Finney-Smith is a great wing, but he's the wrong player for the Rockets:

They need to make a different move.