Jabari Smith Questionable for Wednesday with Knee Issue; Rockets Forward's Contract and Promising Collegiate Career Highlighted

Jabari Smith (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Cleveland, potentially marking his second absence this season. If sidelined, Josh Okogie would likely see increased minutes, with Jeff Green as a bench option. The 22-year-old forward's 2025 stats include 14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. Smith is under contract with the Houston Rockets through the 2025-26 season, with team options for 2024-25 ($9.77 million) and 2025-26 ($12.35 million) already exercised. A highly decorated prospect, Smith was a five-star recruit who earned Mr. Georgia Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year honors in high school. He also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship. In his lone collegiate season at Auburn (2021-22), he averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks, earning NABC Freshman of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year before being drafted third overall by the Rockets in the 2022 NBA Draft.