Give him a couple of years to fill out he's still so skinny (maybe he should see Lebron's guy in Miami). The signs are there - if it clicks for him mentally he's going to be a stud.
Jabari needs to replace Dillon Brooks in the lineup. All of the iso plays Dillon got need to go to Jabari.
He's not a natural basketball player. He's a guy who look like he grew up training vs playing basketball. He's a spot player on a championship level team
Regular season or Small sample sized Playoffs ? 44% Overall and 35% 50 and 46% in 7 games and 20 mpg off bench.
Jabari has not played to the level of a #3 pick. Thats not to say he doesn’t have value, but to offer him $30M just because of his draft position is a mistake. He’s one I’d let go to restricted free agency and let the market set the price. Then we can decide if we want to match, let him walk, or work out a sign-and-trade. He’s still young, but I’m seeing an Andrew Wiggins career trajectory.
I agree. I also think we should do the same with Tari. I don't see much advantage in extending either player this summer. Neither is likely to break out and become an all-star level contributor. Tari is already an excellent bench piece/role player. Jabari has the potential to be an elite role player but isn't there yet. He just doesn't do enough offensively to warrant $30 million per year. He has good defensive potential but isn't that good yet to justify that kind of money. Let's wait and see what happens next year.
It's about the numbers with both guys. If Jabari wants to "bet on himself", please let him. Ain't no way the Rockets should pay for what he believes is his potential because he just hasn't shown enough. For Tari, if he's open to a contract that gives him security but doesn't hamper the Rockets, I think the Rockets should go for it, especially if Jabari doesn't extend.
I think free agency has changed and there will be less player movement in free agency due to the new CBA. I also think there will be less mid-size contracts than there used to be. Max players will still get theirs but the non-star, quality starters will get less proportionately. I think the Rockets would be wise to not only wait on Jabari's development but see how the free agency market matures. I feel similarly about Tari except the concern with him is his condition with his leg. As we are likely to have to choose between the two players ultimately, I'd rather let next season play out and make the choice after another year of data.
I think they should wait as well. Looks like they should’ve waited on Jalen. The caveat to that would be if Jabari or Tari would settle for 20m dollar extensions then you absolutely jump on that. For Jabari maybe even 25m. It’s another reason not to pay something stupid for FVV for multiple years. At 25m he may become untradeable and he would make filling out the team more difficult. 15m for 2 guaranteed and 1 team option is the best they should offer unless they have a trade already agreed to.
If you're considered a shooter who can't get to the rim or create off the bounce, you need to shoot 40% from 3pt line at minimum
Because of his injury history, I suspect Tari will look for an extension as soon as possible and will thus be more likely to negotiate a more reasonable contract (kind of like Alpi did). If next year he continues to be a player in the best statistically performing Rockets lineups, then the team should definitely re-sign him. I still feel Jabari is best used as a trade asset - he's not worth even his current rookie pay and he definitely won't be worth whatever minimum extension he's eligible (I think you all have said $30M). All the projections of him becoming a "stud" seem grossly unrealistic - he simply lacks the skills, brains and physical abilities to be much more than he already is. If we could use him and the #10 to improve our draft position to top 5-6, I would do that in a heartbeat - better we take a chance on someone with real potential to be a "stud" than commit to someone who's been nothing but barely mediocre.
He’s 21 and has a horrible offensive coach. He is also one of the best rebounding PF’s in the league and his shooting both mid-range and long-range has shown recent signs of being elite. He is not ever going to be great at creating his own shot, but that is not a pre-requisite for being a plus rotation player for a championship team.
I don't like that $25 million a year number. I think Jabari with some reasonable improvement over time can become a Santi Aldama-level player. Aldama is a PF who can't create at all for himself but shoots efficiently, rebounds and plays solid defense. Aldama is a good player and probably the 4th-best overall player on the Grizzlies. He's the best comp I can find for Jabari with a few years of decent development. Others will protest this comparison but Aldama is a winning player- he's just not a star. I don't think that Jabari will ever be more than an excellent role player. He's currently just a decent role-player with some potential for growth. I think we should wait and see what Jabari becomes. I think we should also see what kind of money Santi Aldama commands. Also, FVV will get at least $20 million per year in an extension. Please prepare yourself emotionally. We can debate the merits of the extension once it occurs. A third year team option would be amazing.
I see the Rockets trading him Jabari lacks an ability to dribble drive well. A rebuilding team like the Nets could pay him that much "if they believe he can grow into that type of player. But the Rockets don't have time for that imo Imo, Rockets cash in on his potential soon. This summer? Trade deadline? One of the two. If he looks like Durant now, then you keep him. No brainier. Right now, I'm keeping the hustle guy in Tari over Jabari
Jabari is already a solid rotation player. I don't see that trading him to improve our draft position works for our timeline. The 6th pick in this years draft is very unlikely to be as good as a rookie as Jabari is right now. He does lack the skills to ever be more than a good role player. Good role players help you win championships though. Watch what OKC has become after adding Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. Watch the Pacers with Nesmith. We need a big man who can defend and space the floor. That's Jabari Smith.
Jabari is already a solid rotation player. I don't see that trading him to improve our draft position works for our timeline. The 6th pick in this years draft is very unlikely to be as good as a rookie as Jabari is right now. He does lack the skills to ever be more than a good role player. Good role players help you win championships though. Watch what OKC has become after adding Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. Watch the Pacers with Nesmith. We need a big man who can defend and space the floor. That's Jabari Smith.
With Jabari I think the Dillon Brooks comparison is a good one. At lest from a role level. He's a plus defender and rebounder who is able to hit the open 3. He also seems to be very coachable and has a little bit of a nasty streak in him. The kind that good Christian boys who love their momma show when they are given the chance. Not a closet sociopath but not as holy as the first impression might lead one to believe. I like him and hope we keep him. But at whatever a "betting on himself" type deal would be but at a Dillon Brooks level rate. Not even sure what that means. Trade Dillon and Jalen for a more reliable SG. Let Jabari start and see if he will take a "betting on himself" extension. That's my vote.
