The Houston Rockets are set to sign Jabari Smith Jr. to a lucrative five-year rookie extension valued at $122 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. This move comes as Smith is anticipated to secure the starting power forward position following the Rockets’ recent trade for superstar Kevin Durant.
Despite facing some challenges this season, including inconsistent playing time and injuries that led to a career-low in points per game, Smith’s potential remains evident. He has averaged 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks over the past two seasons, showcasing his ability to shoot 35.9% from three-point range on nearly five attempts per game.
With Smith’s strong defensive skills and capacity as a jump shooter, he is expected to thrive in an off-ball offensive role alongside teammates like Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, and Durant. His presence will also reinforce the Rockets’ defensive structure as a proficient weakside rim protector.
The extension will keep Smith with the Rockets until the end of the 2030-31 season, with the deal fully guaranteed and devoid of any team or player options. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted that it is somewhat uncommon for a player with Smith’s contract to be finalized so early, particularly when the initial stages of free agency are generally reserved for those receiving maximum contracts.
Additionally, the Rockets will have to consider the extension eligibility for Tari Eason, and how Smith’s new deal might affect Eason’s future. The franchise is in a solid position, being $80 million under the luxury tax line for the 2026-27 season, allowing flexibility to extend both Durant and Eason in the near future.
The Rockets are focusing on maintaining continuity within their roster, having already retained key players like VanVleet and Steven Adams and planning to bring back others such as Aaron Holiday, Jae’Sean Tate, and Jeff Green. This strategy reflects the team’s commitment to building on their successful season, where they won 52 games.
Overall, this extension for Jabari Smith Jr. underscores the Rockets’ investment in young talent and positions them for continued growth in the coming years.