Inside The Rockets

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Could Be Traded to West Rival

Jabari Smith Jr. could be dealt by the Houston Rockets in an offseason trade.

Jeremy Brener

Mar 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) reacts after a made basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) reacts after a made basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images / Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets should be busy on the trade market this offseason.

Bleacher Report writer Eric Pincus believes that there could be discussions between the Rockets and Sacramento Kings for former No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr.

"The Kings do not appear likely to trade Sabonis this summer, but he's worth monitoring. If that goes south, so be it, but since this is one of the "top goals," keep Sabonis on the roster for now. The same can probably be said for nearly everyone on the list except for possibly Valančiūnas," Pincus writes.

"Instead, the Kings could use their Kevin Huerter trade exception and some of the first-round picks they got in the De'Aaron Fox trade to add. That probably puts the team into the tax unless Valančiūnas' contract is dumped. Using the Huerter trade exception would also trigger a first-apron hard cap.

"If the Rockets pull off a blockbuster deal, they may need to move Smith. Since he's close to a new extension, if a rebuilding team prefers one of the Kings' extra first-rounders, Sacramento may be able to add a young, versatile forward who plays defense."

Smith and the Rockets are back in action tonight as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers at the Toyota Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

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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. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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