Latest news with #JabariSmithJr
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
In offseason work, Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. prioritizes physical play, on-ball skills
On a newly released podcast episode of The Young Man and the Three, Jabari Smith Jr. shared a few of his priorities entering his fourth season with the Houston Rockets. 'I'm more physical, more decisive, (and) stronger with the basketball,' Smith told host Tommy Alter and New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. Regarding his offseason work and points of emphasis, Smith continued: Obviously, ball handling is gonna be better, (and) more consistent. I'm in the weight room, I'm lifting weights, I'm getting bigger. There's no reason I shouldn't be trying to run through people (and) trying to attack. It's just something I want to get better at. After missing time in January and February with a broken hand, Smith played off the bench for the remainder of Houston's 2024-25 season due to the emergence of rising star Amen Thompson. But the offseason trade that brought All-Star forward Kevin Durant to the Rockets sent out a pair of starters (Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks) to the Phoenix Suns, which opened up an additional starting lineup slot that Smith is expected to fill. So, for the 22-year-old drafted at No. 3 in the 2022 first round, there are likely to be new opportunities in 2025-26 — and Smith's offseason work is all about ensuring that he's better prepared to take advantage. The complete conversation can be viewed and listened to below. A 6-foot-10 forward, Smith averaged 12.2 points (43.8% FG, 35.4% on 3-pointers) and 7.0 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game last season. He remains one of Houston's most valuable and versatile defensive players, as well. Smith, Durant, Thompson, Fred VanVleet, and Alperen Sengun are the projected starters for the 2025-26 Rockets, who enter among the NBA's championship favorites after a 52-30 campaign in which Houston finished with the No. 2 record in the Western Conference. Besides adding Durant, one clear reason for optimism is continued growth and development from young players, with Smith near the top of that list. More: After Kevin Durant trade, Jabari Smith Jr. likely to rejoin Houston's starting lineup This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. prioritizing physical play, on-ball skills
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The next trade Rockets must make after acquiring Kevin Durant from Suns
The post The next trade Rockets must make after acquiring Kevin Durant from Suns appeared first on ClutchPoints. The 2024-25 season for the Houston Rockets cannot be considered as anything other than a success, even if they did fall short in the playoffs yet again to their archrival Golden State Warriors. They finally saw their rebuild begin to bear fruit in the form of a 52-win season, and these Rockets aren't going anywhere, what with their young core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., just to name a few, still in their early 20s. Advertisement Thus, the Rockets, looking to capitalize on their title-contending window that was pried wide-open this past season, decided to trade away Jalen Green, the former second overall pick, as the centerpiece of the trade that brought Kevin Durant to Clutch City. And it's not like the Rockets had to give up their best assets, as they needed to just add Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft (Khaman Maluach), and five second-round picks to get the deal done. And following the Rockets' slew of moves in free agency (signing Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela for more depth) as well as their decision to commit to Smith for the long-term (he signed a five-year, $125 million rookie extension), it looks like they're done filling the roster. They have depth across multiple positions anyway. But should the Rockets decide that another trade is in the cards for them, they definitely have the assets to pull off a blockbuster for the next available superstar in the trade market. However, Houston should be very selective, as they should only break up their core for the superstar that will unquestionably make them a championship contender. Rockets' next blockbuster trade should be for Giannis Antetokounmpo Troy Taormina-Imagn Images This is not to say that the Rockets have to make a move now. In fact, their roster for the 2025-26 campaign appears to be set already even though it's this early in the free agency period. They should be entering next season with a ton of confidence in their squad, as adding Durant should already solve a lot of the halfcourt scoring problems that they had last season. Advertisement But if the Rockets end up falling short yet again, it might be time to revisit the idea of going all-in and trading whatever is necessary to bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to Houston. The Milwaukee Bucks front office deserves some credit for trying to remain competitive by building around Antetokounmpo with what little resources they have. They even made the ballsy play of waiving Damian Lillard to make room for the signing of Myles Turner. But Turner is hardly a needle-mover, instead profiling as a high-level complementary piece to an already-stacked team. The Bucks, quite frankly, aren't stacked and aren't even close to having a championship-contending roster. This could perhaps lead to an eventual trade request from Antetokounmpo, who will be in the final year of his deal during the 2026-27 campaign. And by then, should the Rockets end up running into a buzzsaw in the playoffs yet again, maybe Antetokounmpo sees the nascent team as an appealing trade destination. The Durant trade did not strip the Rockets of their best trade assets, which will help them gear up for a potential push for Antetokounmpo should the Bucks' worst nightmare come true. Advertisement What should Houston offer? The Bucks, most likely, are going to ask for Thompson as the starting point in any potential Antetokounmpo trade with the Rockets. But by then, if Antetokounmpo requests a trade, Milwaukee won't have much leverage, especially when Giannis is in the final year of his deal and can simply walk for nothing in free agency in 2027. One popular suggestion from pundits is for the Rockets to utilize Alperen Sengun as the primary trade chip they can dangle in exchange for Antetokounmpo. Houston also has young pieces such as Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason to dangle. Sengun is an iffy at best fit alongside Antetokounmpo anyway, and even at 32 years of age, Giannis should be a major upgrade on both ends of the floor over the Turkish big man. The Rockets should be confident to trade Sengun in an Antetokounmpo scenario, as they can elevate Smith into the starting lineup and have them be their starting center. Advertisement While he's not a bruising presence on the interior and is not the best on the glass, he has the floor-spacing and shot-blocking ability to thrive alongside Antetokounmpo. Houston should still have Steven Adams anyway to cover for whatever weaknesses they might have on the boards, while Thompson, who should be off-limits for the Bucks, is also a menace on the glass. The Rockets still have a 2027 first-round pick from the Suns, a 2027 first-round pick swap with the Brooklyn Nets, and they will receive two of the most favorable among the Suns', Dallas Mavericks, and their pick in 2029. In the end this should be the offer the Rockets put on the table for Antetokounmpo next offseason: Rockets trade: Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela, Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard, 2027 PHX first-round pick, 2028 HOU first-round pick, 2029 PHX first-round pick, 2030 HOU first-round pick, 2032 HOU first-round pick Related: The signing Houston Rockets should have made instead of Clint Capela Related: Rockets sign G League Next Up MVP to contract
Reuters
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: Rockets trade F Cam Whitmore to Wizards
July 5 - The Houston Rockets are trading forward Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for two second-round picks, per ESPN. The 20-year-old was selected by the Rockets with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he flashed promise, averaging 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in only 18.7 minutes per game. In addition, he shot 35.9 percent from three-point range. In his second season, Whitmore saw a slight minute reduction due to Houston's crowded depth chart; he averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. Whitmore was already behind Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in the rotation, but this offseason, the Rockets crowded the depth chart even more by adding superstar Kevin Durant and forward Dorian Finney-Smith. In Washington, Whitmore has a clearer path to playing time, as he should become a key piece for the rebuilding squad. He will join their young core of Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and AJ Johnson. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. secures $122 million contract extension
The post Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. secures $122 million contract extension appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Houston Rockets' offseason continues to get better as rising star Jabari Smith Jr. will commit to them in the long term. Advertisement Smith intends on signing a five-year, $122 million contract extension with the Rockets, per ESPN's NBA insider Shams Charania. 'Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Rockets officials and Smith's agent, Wallace Prather of LIFT Sports Management, negotiated the fully guaranteed deal through 2030-31 season,' Charania said on Sunday. Smith will enter the final year of his four-year rookie contract next season. He is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where he averaged 12.2 points, seven rebounds and 1.1 assists throughout 57 appearances. He was productive in the playoffs, providing 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest against the Golden State Warriors. What's next for Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Troy Taormina-Imagn Images It's a great sign of long-term security for the Rockets, keeping Jabari Smith Jr. with the extension. Advertisement Smith has showcased incredible athleticism and defensive moments throughout his time with the franchise. Since Houston picked him third overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, the young forward has made the most of his chances with the organization. The Rockets are coming off a blockbuster trade to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns on June 22. They sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and multiple first-round picks to complete the deal. This allowed Houston to not give up most of their depth, elevating their chances to compete for a title. They are finished with a strong 52-30 record in the 2024-25 season, taking the second spot in the Western Conference. Despite falling in seven games in the first round to the Warriors, the Rockets displayed a lot of potential. Which is why went through with the trade for Durant, landing a veteran star who will give them consistent scoring while bringing solid defense. Their aspirations for a title continues to look more promising. Related: Rockets emerge as serious Dorian Finney-Smith suitor Related: NBA rumors: Ty Jerome suitors lining up amid expected Cavs exit
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets' New Depth After Signing Clint Capela And Dorian Finney-Smith In Free Agency
Rockets' New Depth After Signing Clint Capela And Dorian Finney-Smith In Free Agency originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Rockets hit the ground running in the free agency market as they acquired Dorian Finney-Smith and former Rocket Clint Capela within the first few hours of free agency. Dorian Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Rockets, and Capela signed a three-year, $21 million deal. These are the new additions to the frontcourt that was already logjammed with young and veteran talent like Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and more. Advertisement Following these acquisitions, let's take a look at the roster depth of the Rockets for each position (in order of preference for the position). Point Guards (PG): Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday Shooting Guards (SG): Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore Small Forwards (SF): Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Dorian Finney-Smith, Nate Williams Power Forwards (PF): Jabari Smith Jr., Jae'Sean Tate, Jeff Green Centers (C): Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Clint Capela, Jock Landale If the Rockets can figure out a way to retain Cam Whitmore on this team, this roster depth makes them look nearly destined for a championship within the next two seasons. But according to Yossi Gozlan, the NBA salary cap analyst, financial restrictions will force them to most likely waive Jock Landale and trade Whitmore. Are The Rockets Still Title Contenders Without Whitmore? Yes, the Rockets are still considered one of the frontrunners from the Western Conference to make a run for the NBA championship in the 2025-26 season. Whitmore was not crucial to the team last season, but he is a valuable young asset for the team with tremendous upside and potential to grow. Advertisement Averaging just 16 minutes per game in the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 35.5%. Analysts across the country were shocked to see him fall to the 20th pick when the Rockets drafted him. They should look for a way to retain him on the team if possible, like waiving Landale and Nate Williams or trading Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday instead. But the latter is unlikely since they both signed a one-year veteran minimum contract with the team only a few days ago. Related: Rockets Still In Sweepstakes For Giannis Antetokounmpo Or Jaylen Brown Even After Kevin Durant Trade This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
