The season just started and the Rockets already have a Dorian Finney-Smith problem

As the Houston Rockets struggled to start the season, dropping games to both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons, they were largely unable to get a flow going on the offensive end of the floor, turning the ball over in ridiculous fashion and struggling to establish spacing with which their shooters can work.

While Kevin Durant has looked as efficient as ever from the floor, that will not be enough to keep the Rockets' offense afloat throughout the course of the season, and, accordingly, the impact of Dorian Finney-Smith's absence is already being felt.

With their win over the Brooklyn Nets, the team found its form, shooting 16-of-32 from beyond the arc. Yet, these numbers are not sustainable, even with a smaller starting lineup with Josh Okogie in the mix, and the team needs to return of one of its most reliable perimeter shooters in order to give them the offensive versatility they require.

Finney-Smith, who the Rockets signed to a four-year contract in the offseason, has yet to play a game for the team as he recovers from an offseason ankle surgery he underwent. While the timeline for his return is still somewhat unclear, it has become clear that Houston desperately needs the skill-set he provides.

Dorian Finney-Smith's return should be a huge boon for the Rockets, but when will it come?

As the Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns this offseason, they knew that they were making a gamble that would shake up their offense entirely. Although shipping out both Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks was a price that was likely ultimately worth the reward, they did lose two viable perimeter shooters in the deal.

Moreover, with the loss of Fred VanVleet to a season-ending ACL injury, the team now leans on Durant as their lone reliable shooter from beyond the arc. While Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard have all shown flashes in this area of the court, these are all developing cases: not tangible assets.

This, in part, is exactly what they brought Finney-Smith in for. Last season, between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers, he shot just 41.1% from 3-point range, averaging five attempts per game in his role as both a starter and a bench piece.

Moreover, as a lengthy and capable defender, Finney-Smith's 3-and-D skill-set could be a huge boon to both Houston's bench unit and their starting lineup, depending on the matchup.

While it remains to be seen when Finney-Smith will be ready for action, one thing is certain: the Rockets desperately need him to return in order to continue to get their offense back on track.