Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason To Play With Rockets At NBA’s 2023 Summer League

Assuming health, newly drafted first-round rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore will be the main attractions of the NBA’s 2023 summer league for Rockets fans. It will be the first time for both to wear their new Houston jerseys on a basketball court.

But for those making the trek to Las Vegas, there could be additional attractions for at least part of the five-game exhibition slate.

Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, second-year forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason will likely participate in some of Houston’s summer games. While both had solid rookie seasons in 2022-23 and made the league’s All-Rookie Second Team, there’s still plenty of development to go, and perhaps their shooting and cutting abilities could fit well as Thompson directs Houston’s offense for the first time.

While there’s theoretically some injury risk by allowing a player such as Smith or Eason to play in summer league, the same is true in any pickup games or exhibition showcases that NBA players compete in over the offseason. Thus, the Rockets might prefer for younger players to do it within the team’s controlled environment.

Houston’s summer slate begins Friday, July 7.