For the second-straight season, Houston was able to land a Top 3 pick in the draft. After drafting budding star Jalen Green last season, it only made sense to snag a frontcourt player like Jabari Smith Jr in this year’s draft. This selection helps pair Smith with 2021 draftee, Alperen Sengun. Sengun and Green had up-and-down rookie seasons, but their potential was often on display. Now, Jabari Smith will add two huge elements to this young core: shooting and defense. It may be a few years before Houston finds itself to be relevant in what seems like a revolving door of talent that is the Western Conference, but with this young core, it seems inevitable. Rockets starting lineups are available each game day.
