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The Charlotte Hornets continued reshaping their roster Friday, agreeing to acquire veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three future second-round picks from the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charlotte will receive second-round selections in 2027 (via Memphis), 2028 (via Houston), and 2033 (via Houston), further strengthening its stockpile of draft assets. The Hornets now own 20 tradeable second-round picks over the next seven years, the second-most in the NBA.
For Houston, the deal creates additional roster flexibility after adding Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović earlier this offseason. The trade also generates a $13 million trade exception for the Rockets.
Hornets Continue Roster Overhaul
Finney-Smith is the latest veteran addition in what has been an aggressive offseason for Charlotte.
Following the NBA Draft, the Hornets traded franchise point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three future first-round pick swaps and three second-round selections.
Charlotte later sent longtime forward Miles Bridges, along with a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder, to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and a 2033 first-round pick.
The additions of Reid, Allen, O’Neale and now Finney-Smith provide the Hornets with experienced two-way contributors while expanding their collection of future draft capital.
Veteran Depth for a Rising Hornets Team
Finney-Smith, 33, averaged 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and one assist in 37 games for Houston last season. Although he shot a career-low 27% from three-point range in 2025-26, he owns a 35.9% career mark from beyond the arc and brings significant playoff experience after 44 postseason appearances, including a key role in the Dallas Mavericks’ run to the 2022 NBA Finals.
Charlotte is betting on that experience as it looks to build on last season’s turnaround. After opening the year 11-23, the Hornets closed the regular season by winning 32 of their final 45 games, finishing with the league’s highest-rated offense and fifth-ranked defense from Jan. 1 onward.
The Hornets ultimately fell one game short of the playoffs after defeating the Miami Heat in the first play-in game before suffering a lopsided loss to the Orlando Magic in the final play-in contest.
Charlotte also retained guard Coby White on a three-year, $74 million contract, positioning him to take on a larger role following Ball’s departure. Finney-Smith joins Allen and O’Neale as experienced veterans expected to provide defensive versatility, perimeter shooting and leadership as the Hornets attempt to end the NBA’s longest active playoff drought.
