Jason Smith

Height: 7-0

Weight: 245 lbs.

Age: 31

NBA Experience: 9 years

Nicknames: JSmoove, Smith3rs

By the Numbers:

Games Played: 74

Games Started: 3

Total Minutes: 1,068 (14.4 MPG)

Points: 420 (5.7 PPG)

Assists: 37 (0.5 APG)

Rebounds: 258 (3.5 RPG)

Steals: 21 (0.3 SPG)

Blocks: 55 (0.7 BPG)

Field goals: 174-329 (.455)

Free throws: 35-51 (.686)

3-pointers: 37-78 (.474)

Turnovers: 58

Net Rating: 2 (110-108)

PER: 13.6

Many fans immediately questioned the signing of backup center Ian Mahinmi because Marcin Gortat, at that time, was under contract for another three season. The Jason Smith signing, who has mainly played center throughout his career, was also pretty curious. Besides re-signing Bradley Beal and hiring Scott Brooks, Smith probably turned out to be Ernie Grunfeld’s best offseason signing. Much of that had to do with him filling in decently for an oft injured Mahinmi, but he also just provided a cheerleading presence on the Wizards bench that is an underrated part of what he brings to the table.

As weird as it may sound, Smith was probably the team’s third best three-point shooter by the end of the year behind Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr. Having a true stretch big playing with John Wall could be very, very useful in the future. “Keep on working at it,” Smith said about his three-point shot. “Just scratched the surface, I want to get a little bit better with it. Only did it about halfway through the season. Trying to do that from the beginning of the season next year and keep it going throughout the entire year.”

Season Takeaways

• One reporter termed Smith’s primary role with the Wizards as being the “adult.” Stepping in front of a teammate barking at a referee to protect them from getting a technical foul. Being the first off the bench to high-five his teammates as they come to the huddle during a timeout. Some may belittle or laugh at Smith’s constantly upbeat mood, but his ability to provides a level of lightness is certainly impactful.

• In the Hawks series in the first round of the playoffs, Smith was not his normal self. He was not making his jump shots, 1 of 14 (7.1 percent) on shots from 10 or more feet away from the rim, but was 7 of 9 (77.8 percent) on shots from 9 or fewer feet. Smith mentioned after the season that defenses may begin adjusting to his range shooting, so it will be important for him to also work on his driving game from the three-point line.

• Smith certainly provides energy off the bench when he is inserted into the game and Scott Brooks also commends him for always staying ready, but the reality remains that he is not the greatest defender. People who were calling for him to play over both Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi against Kelly Olynyk were being irrational, frustrated fans because Smith is not the greatest post defender nor does he move the greatest feet.

What's next?

Unlike the prospect when he first was signed by the team, I would say it is easy to say that Smith’s future with the organization is bright. At roughly $5 million per year, his contract is relatively cheap in an age of a $102 million salary cap. He is a professional pro as Scott Brooks likes to say often. That alone makes me confident that he will be putting in hard work during the offseason to improve his three-point shot as well as other parts of his game. He should be a solid role player for Washington during the upcoming 2017-18 season as a backup power forward and reserve center assuming the Wizards did not add a better backup for Markieff Morris this summer.

The best of Smith off the court.

The best of Smith on the court.