Inside The Rockets

Jabari Smith Jr. Playing For Rockets Future

The Houston Rockets are consistently evaluating Jabari Smith Jr.
Jeremy Brener|
Mar 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) handles the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia (33) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Mar 1, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) handles the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Jake LaRavia (33) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are happy to have Jabari Smith Jr. back on the floor, but they need to decide how he fits on the roster moving forward.

Smith, 21, will be entering restricted free agency in 2026, and the Rockets might not have the money or space in the rotation to keep him.

HoopsHype placed Smith at No. 26 in its 2026 free agency rankings.

"Still has promise as a mobile outside shooting big man who can block shots and use his quick feet defensively when forced to switch. But he has yet to put it all together consistently enough," HoopsHype writes.

Smith's broken hand he suffered on Jan. 3 was his first major setback. Amen Thompson took his place in the starting lineup and hasn't given it up. This pushed Smith back to the bench, where he projects to be for the remainder of the season.

Given his restricted free agency status, a team could offer Smith a deal that makes and pays him like a starter, and that may not be attainable for the Rockets. It may make more sense to re-sign Tari Eason at a lower contract and make him the team's power forward of the future.

Fred VanVleet's contract also expires in 2026, so the Rockets could also use his money and allocate it to Smith, but then Houston would have to pay Thompson the following summer.

With so many mouths to feed on the Rockets, choices will have to be made soon, so every time he steps on the floor, Smith is playing for his future in Houston.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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