Inside The Rockets

Rockets Should Look to Trade Market After Jabari Smith Jr. Injury

The Houston Rockets are without their starting power forward for the next four to eight weeks, which means they could turn to the trade market for depth.

Jed Katz

Dec 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) leaves the court following the game against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) leaves the court following the game against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images / Erik Williams-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets have suffered a major blow to their rotation, as power forward Jabari Smith Jr. is out for four to eight weeks, according to head coach Ime Udoka. The 6-foot-10 starter is averaging 11.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists this season as the Rockets have surged to a 23-12 start.

With a major piece in Houston's rotation out for that long, the organization should turn to the trade market to add depth. The Rockets were expected to have a deep rotation coming into this season, but only two bench players are receiving at least 15 minutes per game.

Houston has plenty of players on the trade market that would fit its system. The first that comes to mind is Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson. The Rockets are one of at least 10 teams to have inquired about the 28-year-old, per Evan Sidery of Forbes. He's having a career year, averaging 19.5 points on 49.6% shooting from the field and 43.6% from three.

Another name the Rockets are interested in is Jonas Valanciunas, per Sidery. Although not a forward, the center is an experienced veteran averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists off the bench for the Washington Wizards.

Regardless of who the Rockets could pursue, they need depth with Smith out for a major amount of time. They're in a great position, currently holding the second seed in the Western Conference, and losing Smith could affect some of those games that decide where Houston ends up at the end of the season.

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Jed Katz
JED KATZ

Jed is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in journalism. He also contributes at several other basketball outlets, including has his own basketball blog and podcast — The Sixth Man Report.

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