Jabari Smith Jr. hasn't arrived yet as a pro, seeing a statistical dip from his second to his third season with the Rockets. Still, the potential he showed on the Plains as an Auburn Tiger has many thinking there's potential for him to be a No. 2 option on a championship team.
ESPN's Bobby Marks believes Smith could've been the centerpiece in a Luka Doncic deal had the Rockets attempted to land the Slovenian star from the Mavericks.
Marks' full deal included Smith, Dillon Brooks, Reed Sheppard, a 2025 unprotected first-round pick (via Phoenix), and a 2027 unprotected first-round pick (via Phoenix).
"The Rockets have the players and picks to make a blockbuster trade and still have enough left over to field a competitive team. In this trade, Doncic joins Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and Alperen Sengun in the new starting five. And Houston still has five tradable first-round picks available to use in another deal," Marks wrote.
Of course, the actual Doncic trade was a disaster for Dallas. The Mavs landed Anthony Davis as the centerpiece of a deal and only one future first-round draft pick. Nico Harrison made an enemy of a fanbase overnight.
Had the Mavs landed a haul with two potential franchise cornerstones like Smith and Sheppard, there would have been far less backlash. Not to mention, the three draft picks would've given Dallas's front office a chance to fill out depth in a way one draft pick and Max Christie couldn't have.
Brooks is salary filler in this deal. His 40% three-point shooting would be welcomed, though.
Whether or not Smith's name is one that will come up in future trade talks is unclear. Marks mentioning him is worth noting considering his NBA front office ties and media ties via ESPN.