Jabari Smith Jr. looks ready to give the Rockets exactly what they need

Some Houston Rockets fans wish the team hadn't picked Jabari Smith Jr. third. In preseason, he looks primed to justify that selection.

Will he be a star? Time will tell. That said, fans tend to have a false perception about high lottery picks. A third overall pick doesn't have to produce like a superstar, but they ought to be a positive impact player. Smith Jr. is going to be one:

And his three-point volume will be one of the main reasons.

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. is shooting at will

That was on full display against the Pelicans on Tuesday. Smith Jr. was 4/10 from long range. It was a masterful blend of volume and efficiency.

Most importantly, Smith Jr. looked confident. When his number was called, he answered. That hasn't always been the case throughout his NBA career.

Rockets fans couldn't be happier. Sure, a 3-and-D wing isn't what fans picture when a player is picked third overall:

But that's exactly what the Rockets need Smith Jr. to be.

Rockets don't need Smith Jr. to be a star

The main distinguishing factor between a star and a role player is shot creation. Can a player go out and get a bucket when nobody helps them?

For Smith Jr., the answer so far has been a resounding "no". That's fine. Smith Jr. still brings a lot ot the table. Defensively, he's a versatile option who can survive in space and protect the rim from the weakside. Smith Jr. can guard any position.

That's valuable, but Smith Jr. still needs an offensive role. Spacing the floor will suffice. Unfortunately, it's something he's done at a mediocre level so far. Over three NBA seasons, Smith Jr. has connected on 34.0% of his 4.9 three-point attempts per game.

That's not "bad" per say. For a 6'11" combo big, it's enough to stay in the NBA. That said, if Smith Jr. wants to justify being selected third overall, both marks need to come up. If Smith Jr. could connect on, say, 38% of 6 or 7 attempts per game, the Rockets would be satisfied.

That's what made Tuesday's performance so satisfying. Smith Jr. had shot 5 and 4 threes in Houston's previous two preseason games. The fact that he fired so willingly against the Pelicans demonstrates that he's heading in the right direction.

Don't expect 10 threes a night from Smith Jr. As a role player, he won't even get those opportunities on a nightly basis. Still, if he can be an efficient high-volume three-point shooter, he'll give the Rockets exactly what they need.

What else could they want from the third overall pick?