Hornets Acquire Dorian Finney-Smith, More Draft Picks From Rockets, AP Source Says
Houston saved more than $20 million and created a $13.3 million trade exception after moving Finney-Smith and three second-round picks.
- On Friday, July 3, 2026, the Houston Rockets traded forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets in a salary dump move designed to create roster flexibility.
- Following recent acquisitions of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Rockets executed this trade to fall under the first apron, saving the team $20 million in payroll and tax.
- Salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan noted the deal creates a $13.3 million trade exception for Houston, while Finney-Smith receives a 3.2% trade bonus worth $861,974 and a guaranteed 2026/27 salary of $13.33M.
- Charlotte now holds 20 second-round picks over the next seven years, giving the team the second-most tradeable picks in the NBA and significantly boosting its future draft capital.
- The 33-year-old Finney-Smith averaged just 3.3 points in 37 games last season and is unlikely to play for the Hornets beyond this year, as the team may trade or waive him.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Associated Press News
Hornets acquire Dorian Finney-Smith, more draft picks from Rockets, AP source says
A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have acquired forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks in a trade with the Houston Rockets.
Rockets Trade Away Dorian Finney-Smith
The Houston Rockets have made a trade, sending forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Charlotte Hornets in a salary dump move. ESPN’s Shams Charania first broke the news of the trade sending Finney-Smith from Houston to Charlotte. Along with Finney-Smith, the Rockets sent the Hornets three second-round draft picks, as this is a pure cap dump by Houston. “The Houston Rockets are trading Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks to the Charlott…
Former Florida standout Dorian Finney-Smith traded to new NBA team
Dorian Finney-Smith has a new team for the upcoming NBA season. ESPN insider Shams Charania reported Friday that the Houston Rockets have traded Finney-Smith to the Charlotte Hornets. Finney-Smith played for the Rockets for just the 2025-26 season. The Houston Rockets are trading Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/LZwsdInRGy— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2026 R…
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