By pursuing Milwaukee big man Brook Lopez in 2023 free agency, the Rockets attempted to upgrade their center rotation surrounding third-year starter Alperen Sengun. But when Lopez returned to the Bucks, Houston’s apparent backup plan involved giving favorably stuctured contracts to Jock Landale and Jeff Green.
While capable players, Landale and Green aren’t nearly to the level of Lopez, when it comes to their projected on-court impact. Then again, they may not be Houston’s only options in the middle.
Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets are intrigued by using Jabari Smith Jr. — who just finished off a terrific summer league — in select situations at center. In turn, that could free up more minutes at power forward for players such as Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore.
Quoting general manager Rafael Stone, Iko writes:
“It was essentially that he’s got the size of a center,” Stone said of the team’s predraft process. “(He’s) 6-11 with a 7-2 wingspan, very typical center size with a unique ability to move his feet on the perimeter. Particularly in the playoffs when people start switching everything more and more, he projected to be a really interesting big. He has the size to be a rim protector while at the same time can move on the perimeter like someone materially smaller.”
Jabari Smith Jr. has oozed defensive potential since before he stepped foot in the league. But what are the steps to greatness?
I spent last season tracking down some of the best defenders in the NBA to find out.
An @TheAthletic exclusive https://t.co/vXDZOmQ4K6
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 20, 2023
In terms of rotation minutes for the 2023-24 season and beyond, it could come down to how much the Rockets are willing to expose Smith to the physical pounding that comes from minutes at center.
While Smith has the height to play at center, he was also listed at just 213 pounds as a rookie, which is why he mostly played at power forward. In time, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft is expected to put on weight and bulk, but that often happens gradually so that the player doesn’t lose athleticism in the process.
Many times, teams will use traditional bigs to soak up minutes during the regular season while saving their lighter, more agile lineups for the playoffs. That way, a more nimble, athletic big — such as Smith — can save some of his energy and avoid being worn down from playing too many heavier, more physical opponents over 82 games.
Then again, with a young and rebuilding Rockets team coming off a 22-60 season at the bottom of the Western Conference, playoff expectations entering 2023-24 are minimal. From an organizational standpoint, if the team is even fighting for a potential spot in West’s play-in tournament come March and April, it’s a successful year.
Thus, in theory, that might make the Rockets more likely than some teams to experiment in the regular season — since it’s not as if they have any greater playoff ambition to save resources for.
Time will tell. For now, it’s a potentially important anecdote to keep in mind as Houston builds out its rotation for the coming years.
