The Charlotte Hornets should try to trade for Houston Rockets swingman Jabari Smith Jr.
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. has been named the Charlotte Hornets' ambitious offseason trade target by Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report.
"Smith hit 36.3 percent of his treys last year and totes a 79.6 percent accuracy rate from the foul line for his career, suggesting he should match or beat that long-range mark going forward," Hughes wrote. "Already extended and potentially hitting his early prime next season, he could add to Charlotte's group of rising stars."
Most people who cover the NBA believe the Hornets need to move on from Miles Bridges this offseason. Trading Bridges to Houston for Smith Jr. would be a great move for Charlotte.
For the Rockets this regular season, Smith Jr. averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 45.0% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free-throw line. He's a three-level scorer who is only 23 years old. The Auburn product would fit in nicely next to LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
Smith Jr. will make $23,643,411 next season. The Hornets need someone who can hit mid-range jumpers at a high rate. Smith Jr. is one of the best 2-point shooters in the league. He's almost automatic from there.
A five-man lineup of Ball, Miller, Knueppel, Smith Jr. and Moussa Diabaté looks really good on paper. The Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of this year's playoffs in six games despite being favored to win the series, so Houston's front office could make changes to the roster around NBA legend Kevin Durant.
If the Rockets are open to trading Smith Jr., the Hornets need to pursue the wing, who holds career averages of 13.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Smith Jr. doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can't stop Houston from trading him this summer.
"What the Hornets lack is a versatile defender up front who can also space the court," Hughes wrote. "That's Smith, who could replace Bridges at power forward and even add a new dimension as a small-ball 5 against the right opposing lineups."
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