In a newly published piece exploring second-year players to watch in the 2023-24 NBA season, ESPN insiders listed Houston Rockets forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason among the standouts.
The list excluded Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Utah’s Walker Kessler and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, since each member of that impressive trio already showed enough in his 2022-23 rookie year.
Instead, the list focuses on players who showed flashes as a rookie but perhaps lacked minutes or consistency.
Eason, drafted 17th in the 2022 first round, averaged 9.3 points (44.8% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers) and 6.0 rebounds in 21.6 minutes. Smith, drafted No. 3 in that class, tallied 12.8 points (40.8% FG, 30.7% on 3-pointers) and 7.2 rebounds in 31 minutes.
Eason played in all 82 games for the 2022-23 Rockets, while Smith nearly matched that impressive durability with 79 games played.
Both second-year forwards, who are each well regarded for their defense, will compete for frontcourt minutes once new head coach Ime Udoka opens training camp in the first week of October.
Here’s what ESPN’s writers had to say about both players.