Jabari Smith's treatment on the Houston Rockets has been disappointing for Auburn Tigers fans to say the least. Since Ime Udoka became head coach, Smith has been de-emphasized in the Space City, but the team has been winning. Houston was the Western Conference's No. 2 seed and went 52-30 in 2024-25.
That likely points to a a trade at the Rockets front office's earliest convenience.
PhillyVoice's Adam Aaronson believes the Philadelphia 76ers make sense as a landing spot for Smith. Aaronson proposed a pre-draft swap that'd send the No. 3 pick to Houston for Smith and the No. 10 pick, with other pieces also involved.
"The only obvious option I see as far as players are concerned is Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets, a talented big shooter who could be falling out of favor as he enters his fourth NBA campaign," Aaronson wrote. "Could a framework of No. 3, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond (assuming both players pick up their player options) for No. 10 and Smith work for both sides? Would the Sixers need to add No. 35 to that deal, or would they not have enough confidence in their ability to draft a game-changer in the latter region of the lottery?"
Smith could enter a Sixers locker room that could've just gotten rid of Joel Embiid and Paul George, who were both injury-prone throughout this past season. Embiid's career is in jeopardy considering his ongoing health issues, while George didn't accept any role the team gave him during the first year of a four-year, $211 million contract.
After ending his Auburn career on a sour note in the 2022 NCAA Tournament's Round of 32 against Miami, Smith has established himself as a player with great potential in the Association. That potential reportedly had him on the table as a Luka Doncic trade piece in February.
That potential will stay dormant on the Rockets. For Smith's sake, hopefully the Sixers come calling with this trade package.