Rockets Evaluate Trading Fini-Smith! Targeting Four Key Guards with Two Clear Operational Principles

On January 23rd Beijing time, according to insider Shams Charania, the Houston Rockets are testing the trade waters to bolster their backcourt strength. Sources disclosed,the Rockets are evaluating what trade returns might be possible by offering forward Fini-Smith and a second-round pick as assets.

Fini-Smith is an experienced 3-and-D wing player who signed with the Rockets last summer. He missed the first two months of this season due to left ankle surgery. Since making his season debut after Christmas, the 32-year-old veteran has seen limited playing time, averaging only 13 to 18 minutes over his first 12 games played.

During his tenure with the Rockets, Fini-Smith has averaged 15.5 minutes per game, contributing just 2.9 points and 2.8 rebounds. His salary this season is $12.7 million, with a $13.3 million guaranteed salary for the 2026-27 season; his contract runs through 2028-29, but the final two years are non-guaranteed.

Overall, Fini-Smith’s trade value on the market is likely quite limited, but it is worth noting that his overall impact on the team is not always reflected in basic stats. Although the sample size is small, during his 186 minutes on the court, the Rockets’ net rating was +9.5, with a defensive rating of 102.1.

Charania pointed out that league insiders have revealed,the Rockets’ potential backcourt targets include New Orleans Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado and Memphis Grizzlies’ young Scotty Pippen. Additionally, Chicago Bulls’ Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are also under the Rockets’ consideration, but acquiring these two players would require far more than just Fini-Smith and a second-round pick as trade assets.

Charania also admitted that the Grizzlies currently show no signs of being willing to trade young Pippen. Moreover, since this Grizzlies guard’s salary is only $2.3 million, any trade involving Fini-Smith and Pippen would require Memphis to include additional players to match salaries.

On the other hand, Alvarado is considered one of the most likely Pelicans players to be traded, having attracted interest from multiple teams including the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. Earlier this season, the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers were also linked to potential trades involving Alvarado.

Similar to Pippen, Alvarado’s salary is relatively low at $4.5 million. Therefore, unless more assets are included, simply sending Fini-Smith to New Orleans would not be feasible for the Pelicans—whose current payroll is only $2 million below the luxury tax threshold. Charania added that the Pelicans are unwilling to exceed the luxury tax line or take on long-term contracts in trades.

Charania further mentioned,that the Rockets have established two clear principles when considering trade options: first, they will not trade veteran guard Fred VanVleet, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury; second, they are unlikely to make moves that would diminish Shepard’s role within the team.