The 2022-23 NBA season was the third for Jae’Sean Tate, and it was effectively a lost one for the 27-year-old Houston Rockets forward. A nagging ankle injury limited Tate to just 31 games and seven starts, with a career-low average of 21.8 minutes when he did play.
But after using the 2023 offseason to methodically build back strength, Tate is believed to finally be healthy. Going forward, his unique brand of rugged defensive intensity, versatility, and playmaking as a passer could be valuable to new coach Ime Udoka.
While Tate will compete for forward minutes with the likes of Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, and Cam Whitmore, the lefty has a significant advantage in experience over all but Brooks, which Udoka may value as he sorts out his initial 2023-24 rotations.
Then again, even with advantages in experience and defense, Tate’s value is likely to be limited unless he improves as a 3-point shooter and floor spacer. Based on that, Tate tells Kelly Iko of The Athletic that shooting is his biggest offensive priority this offseason:
It’s always coming back to shooting, but also just being comfortable and being confident and taking the shots. For me, it’s not really the drill work; it’s just the game. Being confident in myself. That’s just one thing we’ve been trying to instill, being more confident in anything I do out there because my game has versatility.
Over three NBA seasons, Tate has averaged 11.2 points (49.8% FG), 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26.7 minutes, but he’s shot just 30.7% on 3-pointers. That includes a career-low 28.3% clip last season.
While it’s probably unrealistic to expect Tate to ever develop into an elite shooter, even just nudging his 3-point clip into the low-to-mid 30s could prove significant as it pertains to making defenders account for him at various spots on the floor. In recent seasons, defenders have often sagged off Tate when he’s behind the 3-point arc, which has compromised floor spacing and driving lanes elsewhere.
Time will tell, of course, as to whether Tate — a 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team selection — has finally made the requisite improvements. Training camp for the 2023-24 season opens in early October.
#Rockets F Jae’Sean Tate, unplugged on @TheAthletic
• The transition to a coaching staff that “is able to get out there with us”
• Why their defensive core can be problematic
• Podcasting, summer work and why “it’s always coming back to shooting”https://t.co/84qCdrzqBH
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) August 14, 2023
