Jabari Smith Jr. (PF, HOU) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 4

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 48% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Perhaps the best thing going in Jabari Smith's way these days when it comes to keeping considering him a viable fantasy player is just his status in the NBA as a rookie. Other than that, I have to concede that he's been a little bit upsetting--mostly through his last few games.

Smith had a nice start to the year with six consecutive games in the 10+ points-scored realm. In fact, from Oct. 19 through Oct. 28, he was averaging 14 PPG even though he was shooting a paltry 34% from the floor. The three-point shots were falling, though, at an average of 2.5 3PM per game boosting his upside and scoring prowess.

From that day on, though, Smith has been a bit bad all things considered. He's failed to score more than 8 points in all of his last three games and only the rebounding and shot-blocking have kept him a bit afloat. That said, Smith has really underperformed without hitting a trey in his past two games and shooting 25%, 25%, and 10% in the last three games, hoisting 8, 8, and 10 FGA.

Most of the above might scare you off Smith, and it'd be somewhat understandable. Even then, Smith is still a worthy WW target for those in deeper leagues. The growing pains are obvious and if FG% weighs heavily in your league's format you should stay away from Jabari. Otherwise, you can throw a flier his way and grab some shares.

Jabari Smith Jr. should get better with more reps as he grows and gets more accustomed to the Association, and he's a lock to start nightly at either the PF or the C position in the Rockets lineups. Keep an eye on his ankle, though, as he's missed a couple of games recently but he should be back early next week.

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