After the 2025 playoffs, the Rockets made a massive trade to upgrade their roster. They made a deal with the Suns to acquire two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant. 

During that deal, the Rockets gave up Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and five second-round picks. According to a league insider, the Rockets are not done adding to the roster. Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that Houston is expected to steal Dorian Finney-Smith from the Lakers in free agency this offseason. While they’re losing Finney-Smith, that opens money for them to sign a center to pair with Luka Doncic.

Dorian Finney-Smith could be the sixth man for Houston in 2025-26

The Lakers are bracing to lose Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency to a multi-year deal with the Houston Rockets, per @DanWoikeSports

“The loss of a valuable wing like Finney-Smith — and a beloved teammate of Dončić — will create a void on the perimeter, but his exit will open… pic.twitter.com/skEdJafEHG

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2025

This offseason, the Houston Rockets are active in improving their roster for 2025-26. The team had the second-best record in the West at 52-30 this past season. However,  they lost in seven games to Golden State in the first round of the playoffs. Despite believing in the young core they built, they made a shocking trade to acquire Kevin Durant. This is not the only upgrade the Rockets plan to make ahead of next season.

Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that the Lakers are preparing to lose Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers in free agency this offseason. Finney-Smith started the 2023-24 season with the Nets. In late December, Brooklyn traded Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran forward played in 40 of their 82 regular-season games and made 20 starts. When the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, Finney-Smith became a full-time starter.

The Rockets are preparing to offer a 4-year deal to Dorian Finney-Smith to lure him away from Luka and the Lakers, per @TheSteinLine

🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/3AzKD4EqS0

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 30, 2025

Doncic and he played four and a half seasons in Dallas and reunited in LA. However, the Lakers are expected to lose Dorian Finney-Smith this offseason to the Rockets. While the Lakers lose a valuable wing in Finney-Smith, his departure opens up salary space to sign a center this offseason. That has been the long-term goal of the Lakers since they signed Luka Doncic.

Additionally, Dan Woike reported that any deal the Lakers make with a center will be short-term. He says the team is saving its cap space for the 2026 offseason when several top players will become free agents. The Lakers are looking for another star to pair with Doncic, as LeBron James is at the tail end of his career.

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