Ime Udoka says the Houston Rockets don't know who their fifth starter in 2025-26 will be yet. It should be Jabari Smith Jr.
That will be a controversial statement. Tari Eason will have his supporters. Dorian Finney-Smith is another candidate. Arguably, they're both better players than Smith Jr.:
But he should start anyway.
Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. is a starting-caliber player
Let's start with Eason.
The pair of forwards have invited plenty of comparison. They were both selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. Smith Jr. was picked third, and Eason was picked 17th.