The Rockets complete a refresh after finishing as the No. 2 seed out West. Can they complete the ascension to title team?
Houston’s offseason rise in the Western Conference continued as free-agency negotiations opened on Monday as the Rockets agreed to deals with forward Dorian Finney-Smith (four years, $53 million) and center Clint Capela (three years, $21.5 million), per multiple reports.
The Rockets, who officially announced the moves on July 7, are hoping these moves spark an additional rise in the Western Conference for the 2025-26 season.
Free agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith has agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Finney-Smith's agent, Michael Tellem of Excel Sports, negotiated terms of the deal tonight with Rockets executives for the 3-and-D wing. pic.twitter.com/wUNbGn0rOy
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
The Rockets have also reportedly come to terms on a three-year, $21.5 million contract with veteran center Clint Capela, who was originally drafted by and played for Houston before being traded to Atlanta in 2020.
Free agent center Clint Capela has agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Major frontcourt addition – and return to Houston for Capela. pic.twitter.com/1l20sBt9p2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
The 32-year-old Finney-Smith averaged 8.7 points while shooting 41.4% from 3-point range last season, which he played in Brooklyn before being traded to Los Angeles.
The 6-foot-7 forward now joins a revamped Rockets team that will reportedly feature 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, whom the team acquired via trade from Phoenix in the offseason.
Among the cost of that trade was guard Dillon Brooks, whose departure left Houston thinner on perimeter defense and 3-point shooting. The addition of Finney-Smith would counter that loss and provide depth behind Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson.
Capela offers similar quality depth at center behind All-Star big man Alperen Sengun and 12-year veteran Steven Adams. The 31-year-old Capela, who was drafted 25th overall by Houston 2014, averaged 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, his lowest outputs since 2016-17.
The Rockets finished second in the Western Conference last season before being upset by the seventh-seeded Warriors, 4-3, in their first-round playoff series.
