The Houston Rockets have traded forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The move is designed to create salary cap flexibility for the Rockets. Houston recently signed guard Marcus Smart to a two-year, $13 million contract in free agency.
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By sending Finney-Smith to Charlotte, the Rockets can better manage their payroll while trying to retain restricted free agent Tari Eason.
The team remains $28.5 million below the second tax apron, avoiding a hard-cap restriction at the first apron.
Finney-Smith joins the Hornets along with three future draft assets. This increases Charlotte's total draft stock to 20 second-round selections over the next seven years.
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The veteran forward is guaranteed $26.6 million over the next two seasons. He holds a $13.3 million player option for the 2028-29 campaign.
Finney-Smith, 33, is looking to bounce back after an injury-affected season.
He played only 37 games, averaging 3.3 points per game and shooting 33.3 percent from the field following ankle surgery.
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Houston's revised roster now includes Marcus Smart in the guard rotation alongside Fred Van Vleet, who opted into his $25 million salary after recovering from a torn ACL.
