Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. must improve in this area for team to reach potential

The Houston Rockets rewarded Jabari Smith Jr. with a five-year, $122 million contract this summer. If he can improve as a shot maker, he'll be worth every penny - and then some.

Realistically, the hope is that Smith Jr. can exceed that contract's value. Think about it. Smith Jr. is a recent high lottery pick. He's getting paid below the expected rate for a third overall pick. So, this is an opportunity for the Rockets to extract surplus value from a key player.

Smith Jr. has plenty of improvements to make. He could be more consistent as a three-point shooter. His defense is solid, but it could be better. Yet, shot-making is arguably the most important area Smith Jr. could make strides in:

The Rockets need more of it.

Rockets could use a leap from Jabari Smith Jr.

When the Rockets acquired Clint Capela this summer, there was confusion. Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams are a potent tandem at the 5 spot. What's the point of signing another big? Don't the Rockets need more offensive juice?

There's some logic in the Capela acquisition. The Rockets love the twin big man lineups they've been running, and want to ensure they can run them when Adams needs a rest. That's fine - but it still leaves the Rockets with a shortage of offensive creators behind Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and (possibly) Amen Thompson.

Conventional wisdom suggests that it would come from a guard. The Rockets aren't adhering to conventional wisdom. They'll be running three, four, or even five wings at any given moment next year. The Rockets want to win with size, so a shot-making leap from Smith Jr. would kill two birds with one stone.

Does he have it in him?

Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. has room to grow

If he does, Kevin Durant will get it out of him. He's a perfect mentor for Smith Jr.

At 6'11", Smith Jr. doesn't have to do anything particularly fancy. His "bag" doesn't have to be as deep as a guard's for him to create shots in the halfcourt.

It would be useful if he could put the ball on the floor. That's not asking for much. If Smith Jr. could use a couple of dribbles to get to his spot and create his own midrange look, it could revolutionize the Rockets' offense.

He won't be a primary option. Rockets fans expecting an All-Star season should temper their expectations. Smith Jr. is far from that mark. Still, it's reasonable to think he could thrive as a fourth option with some moderate improvements:

That would help the Rockets reach their full potential.