Ranking the Rockets' roster by future potential

3. Jabari Smith Jr.

Yet another high lottery pick, Jabari Smith Jr. has taken his game a step up from last season and is already among the best players in Houston. At 6-foot-11, his offensive skill is rare and he has already made strides in expanding his repertoire.

Smith has had some excellent moments defensively as well, locking down on some of the best opposing offensive players. It is safe to say he is slowly becoming the player the Rockets envisioned when they first drafted him.

2. Amen Thompson

It is important to remember that this list seeks to rank each player by their potential, not by where they are now. By his current play, Amen Thompson would not be close to the top two of this list.

But based on who he can become down the road, it is clear Thompson has more talent than the vast majority of this roster. His passing ability and high-level athleticism are what made him such an elite prospect, and they are why the trajectory he is on so far is still very promising.

1. Alperen Sengun

Despite the stellar season he is enjoying, Alperen Sengun has surprisingly flown under the radar for many NBA fans and pundits. The Rockets' leading scorer, rebounder, and second-best assist getter, Sengun is showing that he has sky-high potential.

He is already trending toward being selected as an All-Star in just his third NBA season, and he has received comparisons to two-time MVP Nikola Jokic due to his savvy playmaking and killer efficiency. Sengun is unquestionably the captain of the Rockets' ship, and there is no telling what level he can reach in the future.