To date, Jabari Smith Jr. has not lived up to his hype, based solely on his draft positioning. Smith fell to the Rockets at third overall, but was projected to be the top pick in his draft class, until the final moments before the draft.
Smith even admitted that he thought he would go first overall to the Orlando Magic. In this case, the Rockets would have signed Paolo Banchero out of Duke.
(Imagine that).
His role (and rank) has changed numerous times, which is normal when a team undergoes a coaching change. Smith was originally drafted by a Rockets team that was in talent development mode.
Houston landed this pick by rebuilding (not to mention luck in the draft lottery).
It took Smith a minute to adjust and adjust to life in the NBA, which was clearly made more difficult due to his expectation of being the No. 1 overall pick in his class.
When Ime Udoka arrived, Smith was in and out of the starting lineup.
Partly because he was injured in 2024-25, when he was already a starter. But also because he had been inconsistent in 2023-24, leading to him being pulled in favor of Jeff Green in the fourth quarter in Udoka’s first season in Houston.
During Houston’s playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, Smith became a key reserve, averaging 20.4 minutes per game, as the Rockets used a dual lineup with multiple centers.
This season, Smith had easily his best season overall, to the tune of 15.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 45 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from long range, 54.5 percent field goal percentage and 57.4 percent true shooting.
Again, all things considered, Smith had his best season to date.
Despite this, Smith missed The Ringer’s Top 100 list.
Although Tari Eason was retained, despite a better season from Smith.
Players generally don’t care about lists like this. Sengun said he doesn’t care, even if he is high on these lists regardless of the publication.
Some players, however, seek motivation in such lists. Like Eason, who was particularly frustrated by his omission from ESPN’s roster earlier in the year.
If Smith is able to use him as fuel and inspiration the rest of the way, the Rockets would probably love that.
But then again, they would probably also like him not to be phased or bothered by such things.
