Rockets forward Jabari Smith understands why he wasn’t a first-team selection on the All-Rookie Team, but he plans to use it as motivation for next season, writes Dionysis Aravantinos of HoopsHype. It took Smith a while to adjust to the NBA, especially in terms of his outside shot, but he improved as the season progressed. He said all five first-team members deserve their spots, but he’s disappointed to miss out on a preseason goal.
Smith was considered the favorite to be taken No. 1 for most of last year’s pre-draft process, but the Magic made a late switch to Paolo Banchero and the Thunder picked Chet Holmgren second. Smith said he’s not bitter about slipping to Houston at third.
“I definitely use it as extra motivation, but as far as a disappointment … no,” he said. “Still the best day of my life up to this point. I was mad at the moment, but looking back on it, it’s nothing to feel bad about. It’s a business, stuff that goes into it, and that’s the decision they made.”
Smith also discussed the rumors that James Harden is interested in returning to the Rockets in free agency. He said his sales pitch to Harden would be to “come back home” and believes Houston could be competitive with Harden joining Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and himself.
“I feel like the sky’s the limit with a lineup like that,” Smith said. “The challenge is there, but it’d be on us to put it all together.”
There’s more from Houston:
- The Rockets tried to convince Scoot Henderson to work out in Houston, but haven’t had success so far, a source tells Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Henderson has stated that he only plans to audition for the Hornets and Trail Blazers, which he has already done. Fischer points out that Houston’s interest in Henderson doesn’t fit with the rumors about Harden, who would become the lead guard if he joins the team. Fischer adds that the Rockets don’t have enough veteran talent on their roster to trade up to No. 2 or 3 to improve their chances of landing the G League Ignite star.
- Amen Thompson had an impressive workout for the Rockets this week, Kelly Iko states in the latest mock draft from The Athletic. Thompson showcased his athleticism and playmaking skills during the session, and Iko sees him as a great fit alongside Green and Smith.
- Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle examines potential free agent targets for Houston, which could have roughly $60MM to spend when the market opens.
I remember when people said Smith was better than Banchero coming out of college. Banchero was better then, now and show pull away even more in the future(assuming no injuries)
Time will tell. They’re both still kids and anything can happen.
Banchero was in a better situation coming out of college but I wouldn’t say he’s the better player. Banchero was drafted by Orlando and immediately became the go to guy while Smith’a development was hampered by the presence of Green. Smith has already started closing the gap. Banchero faded after the All-Star break while Smith improved.
This narrative makes no sense. How has he not proven he was better when he was roy ? You can say he was in a better situation but if you play good enough you can dictate how you are played. How you think jalen williams ended up second in roy ?
Smith is considered a 2way talent. He has plenty upside yet. Give it three yrs. He still could be be better. Banchero is already NBA size. Men don’t fully develop until after 22. You should now that. 19 yrs old in the NBA is baby yrs. Banchero will be 21 in Nov. Still plenty of time. For both actually.
“Smith was considered the favorite to be taken No. 1 for most of last year’s pre-draft process, but the Magic made a late switch to Paolo Banchero”… He was considered the favorite to go #1 by who? Please name these people. Because those are the people that nobody should be listening to when it comes to the NBA draft. And Orlando didn’t switch anything. They just drafted Paolo, which was a fairly obvious choice.
Plenty of scouts and draft boards. Had Smith rated higher. Not overwhelming but higher. You must know that. It’s not new news.
link to si.com
Every draft board had Paolo going #3. There may have been about 1 or 2 that had him higher. But it was every single journalist 100% on Paolo going to Houston. Saying that, the way the top 3 ended up was how I felt all year. I just preferred Paolo as an instantly transferable talent.
Paolo, Chet and Smith are all very good and have high potential. I actually think Chet has a higher ceiling and am looking forward to seeing him in the league next year.
Best move Rockets will ever make ….
Is to trade up for Scoot ….. make it happen.
Stop the madness . Do the right thing. Scoot is a generational PG.
@KnickerbockerAl
I know you keep saying it like a broken record, but you’re 100% right. And hopefully they do try.
He is the prefect fit, but the problem is how they do it. If Pels are serious Rockets can’t compete with a package they propose. Even if they’re not really interested, rockets have no vets to offer Portland so that’s dead in the water.
I do think the hornets are doable. They could shed Haywood and use #4 for any of the Thompsons or Whitmore and get a couple of other good pieces from Houston. But again if Pels are in it’s impossible to compete with their BI or Zion offer.
Totally agree. I can’t find any logic that lets him fall to the 3rd pick. In 90% of draft years he would be a legit 1st pick. He’s not because of Wenbanyama being in the same class
What would a hypothetical Rockets trade for Zion look like? #4, Sengun, KJ Martin, and future first?
Not a bad look, this time LY that would be a huge under pay for Zion but his value keeps diminishing. I would expect it to be more likely Smith Jr than Sengun but either would be enough with #4, Martin/Tate and another 1st(maybe even protected). Houston have the space to take him without filler.
Personally I think it’s a bad idea giving up on Zion, look at the reigning MVP, even Embiid only played like 30 games in his first 3 seasons. It may be too early to give up on him, but Pels loss is someone else’s gain, hopefully the rockets. That’s one of the only trades out of the draft that I like the idea of.