NBA Exec Thinks Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. Is ‘Poised For A Breakout Season’

An NBA executive told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that he believes Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. is “poised for a breakout season.”

“Jabari Smith Jr. was on a tear to end last year and continued that trend through a monster summer,” an NBA executive who gave Smith Jr. a second-place vote on his ballot told HoopsHype. “Plus, his struggles as a rookie were primarily shooting-related, which is the one thing everyone knows he can do. His ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim actually exceeded pre-draft expectations. As one of the youngest players in the league last year, he could be poised for a breakout season.”

The Rockets drafted Smith Jr. with the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Auburn product averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season while shooting 40.8% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line. 

Smith Jr. made the 2022-23 All-Rookie Second Team. The Rockets expect the youngster to take his game to another level on both ends of the court this season in Ime Udoka’s system. 

Smith Jr. averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds over his last four games of last season, finishing his rookie year strong. 

“I think Jabari is going to be a sleeper due to Houston’s style of play and increase in talent around him,” another NBA executive opined.

The Rockets are expected to start Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun this season.