Everyone in the NBA knows the archetype. You need a guy who is 6'7", has a wingspan that seems to go on forever, and doesn't complain when he goes four possessions without touching the rock. That is why the Dorian Finney-Smith trade market is always buzzing, even when his box score looks like a cardio session.
Right now, the situation is a bit messy.
If you haven't been keeping track, Dorian Finney-Smith—or "Doe-Doe" as Mavs fans still affectionately call him—is currently a member of the Houston Rockets. He landed there this past summer on a four-year, $53 million deal after a whirlwind stint with the Lakers. But here is the thing: Houston is currently deep in the "too many wings" problem. They have Tari Eason, they have Jabari Smith Jr., and they just brought in Kevin Durant in a massive blockbuster that shifted the entire tectonic plate of the Western Conference.
Where does that leave a veteran like Finney-Smith?
Honestly, it leaves him on the trade block. Again.
Why the Dorian Finney-Smith trade talk won't die
NBA GMs are obsessed with insurance. Finney-Smith is the ultimate insurance policy. If your star wing gets into foul trouble or needs a breather in a playoff series against someone like Anthony Edwards or Jayson Tatum, you throw Doe-Doe at them.
But his trade value is in a weird spot as we approach the 2026 deadline.
Earlier this season, he was sidelined with a left ankle injury that required offseason surgery. He didn't even make his Rockets debut until December. Since coming back, the shooting hasn't been great. He’s hovering around 21% from deep in January. That’s ugly. You can’t sugarcoat it. However, scouts don't just look at the percentage; they look at the gravity.
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Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers (who reportedly miss his 3&D presence) and the Memphis Grizzlies have been sniffing around. Memphis, in particular, almost had a deal for him back when he was in Brooklyn, but the protections on the first-round pick were a sticking point.
The contract is the real story
People look at a $53 million contract and think it's a massive commitment. It’s actually not.
The deal Houston gave him is surprisingly flexible. The first two years are fully guaranteed, but the third and fourth years have some "choose your own adventure" vibes. Specifically, that fourth year is a mutual option.
- 2025-26: $12.7 million (Guaranteed)
- 2026-27: $13.3 million (Guaranteed)
- 2027-28: $13.3 million (Non-guaranteed until June 2027)
- 2028-29: $13.3 million (Mutual Option)
For a team looking to balance their books while staying competitive, this is a dream. If he plays well, he's a bargain at $13 million. If he falls off a cliff physically, you can move on without much dead money.
Who actually wants him?
The Lakers are the obvious one. It’s almost comical at this point how much they need a wing defender. They traded him away to Brooklyn in the D'Angelo Russell deal back in late 2024, and ever since, their perimeter defense has looked like a revolving door. Bringing him back would be the ultimate "oops, our bad" move by Rob Pelinka.
Then there’s the Phoenix Suns. They are always looking for ways to bolster the defense around their aging stars.
But wait.
The Rockets might not even want to move him yet.
According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Houston has been fielding calls but isn't in a rush. Why would they be? They’re currently sitting in the thick of the play-in race, and having a veteran who knows how to play in the postseason—remember his run with Dallas to the WCF?—is invaluable for a locker room full of young guys like Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.
The "Value" Misconception
Most fans think a Dorian Finney-Smith trade should net a mid-to-late first-round pick.
That might be a reach in 2026.
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His age (32) and the recent ankle issues have dampened the market. If I’m a rival GM, I’m offering two high-quality second-rounders and a young prospect who hasn't quite popped yet. Brooklyn originally wanted a "star-level" return for him, and they ended up settling for three seconds, Maxwell Lewis, and D-Lo.
That is the reality of the market for role players in the new CBA era. Teams are terrified of the second apron. They don't want to overpay for "good" when they need "great" to justify the tax bill.
What happens next?
If you’re a betting person, keep an eye on the week leading up to the February 5th deadline.
Houston has to decide if they want to be "all-in" on this specific roster or if they want to recoup some of the assets they sent out for Kevin Durant. Finney-Smith is the easiest salary to move that actually brings back something of value.
The most likely scenario? A contender with a specific hole at the small forward spot overpays slightly because they think he’s the missing piece for a deep run.
Watch these specific factors over the next 14 days:
- The Shooting: If Doe-Doe has a couple of 4-for-6 nights from three, his value jumps instantly.
- The Minutes: If Coach Ime Udoka keeps him under 20 minutes, it's a sign a trade is imminent.
- The Standings: If Houston slides out of the top 10 in the West, everyone is for sale.
Don't expect a blockbuster. Expect a smart, surgical move that helps a team win a Round 1 series. That’s the Dorian Finney-Smith way.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the Houston Rockets' injury report before their next three games. If Finney-Smith sits out with "general soreness" or "load management" despite being healthy, start looking at the Lakers' or Grizzlies' salary cap tables—that's usually the tell-tale sign that the front offices are finalizing the paperwork.