The NBA preseason is about to begin, and the Rockets' goal this year is to make the playoffs. And the rookie is under a lot of pressure, with Shin Kyung and Jalen Green both wanting to get the top salary. The latest news from the Rockets is that they are willing to give Shin Kyung a big contract below the maximum salary, but it is difficult to say when he will be signed. Jalen Green needs to break out in the new season, which is the current status of the 21st rookie. Shin Kyung enters the safety zone, and Jalen Green is still in the danger zone.
When next season is over, it's the turn of the '22 rookie to renew his contract. That is, the contract extensions of Smith and Ethan, who are in their third year this season. Ethan certainly doesn't get the maximum salary, he's the Rockets' top blue-collar forward. Coupled with the 17th pick in the first round and frequent injuries, it is difficult for him to succeed in counterattacking like Shen Jing. But Ethan still puts a lot of pressure on Smith, as Eason can also play at the No. 4 position, and his physical condition is close to Leonard, especially with his reach and big hands, plus a top hand defense and rebounding.
In other words, if Smith can't prove himself next season, he really won't necessarily stay with the Rockets, and Eason is a presence who can threaten him. In fact, both Smith and Jalen Green are in a disadvantageous situation, and the good news for Smith than Jalen Green is that Jalen Green's stats and shooting percentage are standing still. Smith improved his shooting percentage in his second year. In his first year, Smith played in 79 games, averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds per game, shooting 41 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range.
In the second year, Smith averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, which came from an increase in shooting percentage, which came to 45 percent. 36% of the 3-pointers are shooting from 1.5 to 1.8 per game. Smith will need to keep his stats up next season, and three points have been his selling point. Before the draft, Smith was seen as the big-size Klay Thompson. He doesn't have much ball-handling ability, but he catches and shoots three-pointers, and his defensive side is his strength.
So Smith was once the favorite for the 22-year No. 1 pick, beating Chet and Banchero. At the time, Smith was the No. 1 player, and Chet Holmgren was the first to hit the list and Banchero. Since the Rockets value Banchero very much, the Magic chose to cut off a wave, and finally locked Carrot off work. Smith fell to Tanhua. In fact, he has the talent of the top spot, but he has not realized this strength at the moment. Having really been on the back against Chet and Banchero, Smith has no excuses next season, and as he said in an interview today, he has to explode.
"I'll have to prove myself next season and I think I'm going to improve a lot more on the three-point side," Smith said. I went up from 31 percent to 36.3 percent from 31 percent in my rookie season last season, which I think was a good sign. And next season I'm going to have to shoot over 40 percent from three-point range. I'm going to make more threes, and the team needs me to do that. Open up the space, give it your all on the defensive end, and we'll be strong. “
The three-point shooting rate of 36.3% is actually the league's average level, and if it is raised to 40%, it is already an elite-level accuracy. The Rockets are now full of talent and rookies. Amen Thompson showed a strong foundation character, and he also played well in a cameo at the No. 4 position. Then Shepard has shown his all-time projection ability, plus a playmaking talent, which can be called the brains of the future team of the Rockets. Smith is a bit mediocre, and he's going to play 22 years of probe.