The Houston Rockets snatched Dorian Finney-Smith away from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. They also took two potential center targets in Steven Adams and Clint Capela off the board last summer. Another gut punch could be on its way.
Granted, this one would not hurt nearly as bad, but there is a former Lakers guard openly lobbying to help the backcourt situation in Houston. Spencer Dinwiddie was not particularly shy about his desire of joining the Rockets either.
"I would love to go to the Rockets," Dinwiddie said during an appearance on the Buckets Don't Stop podcast. "One of my best NBA friends Dorian Finney-Smith is on the Rockets. ... They have all the makings of a championship team. ... I would absolutely love to play there."
Dinwiddie remains out of the NBA at this current time, but it was just a season ago in which the 11-year veteran posted solid numbers for the Dallas Mavericks. Considering the Rockets are firmly between the Lakers and a potential title run in the Western Conference, this one could hurt a bit.
Spencer Dinwiddie could help plug the Rockets' void in the backcourt
Dinwiddie is certainly not the type of needle mover in 2026 that he could have been for a team in, let's say, 2019 by contrast. However, the right type of circumstances may just allow for the last little bit of good basketball to be squeezed out of him.
The 32-year-old was let go by the Charlotte Hornets before the start of the 2025-26 regular season. That led to him taking his talents overseas to the EuroLeague, joining Bayern Munich.
Dinwiddie averaged 11.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his 11 appearances for Bayern. However, that was before the well-traveled guard decided to cut his own season short and return back to this side of the pond.
The team's release at the time explained Dinwiddie was forced to attend to a "serious illness in his family." Hopefully, things have gone as best as they can for him and his close ones in that regard.
Perhaps a basketball situation in North America would allow Dinwiddie the needed freedom to handle both accordingly. The Rockets have made do with what they have in the backcourt in 2025-26 so far. There has even been some optimism Fred VanVleet returning might not be off the table this season.
If they do choose to make way for Dinwiddie, the NBA vet could give them one more option in a championship push that may clash with the Lakers at some point.