Finney-Smith spent just one season in Houston after signing a four-year, $52.7 million contract ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. He underwent ankle surgery during the 2025 offseason and struggled to find his form, resulting in a dramatic decrease in productivity.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old forward’s playing time dropped from around 29 minutes per game the prior season to 16.8 \u2014 even less than his previous career low of 20.3 during his rookie season. He also started just one game, which is well below his previous low of 13 during his second year, further illustrating his struggles to justify his presence on the court.<\/p>\n
The native of Portsmouth, Virginia, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016 with the Dallas Mavericks, with whom he would spend the next seven years. He also spent three-plus years with the Brooklyn Nets<\/a> and part of one with the Los Angeles Clippers.<\/p>\n Finney-Smith played for the Gators from 2013-16, having sat out the 2012-13 season after transferring from Virginia Tech. During his three-year tenure at Florida, he averaged 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 101 games \u2014 61 of which were starts.<\/p>\n Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!<\/a><\/p>\n He led the Gators in rebounding all three seasons in Gainesville, and in scoring in 2014-15 and 2015-16. Finney-Smith was the 2014 SEC Sixth Man of the Year and also the first Florida player to join the 1,000-point club after transferring to UF.<\/p>\n Follow us\u00a0@GatorsWire<\/a>\u00a0on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky<\/a>, and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators<\/a> news, notes and opinions.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/82604684007-20250322-t-011042-z-779806020-mt-1-usatoday-25734617-rtrmadp-3-ncaabasketballncaatournam.webp\")