The Houston Rockets are betting huge on Jabari Smith Jr. as a long-term piece.
The fourth-year ahead on Sunday agreed to signal a large five-year contract extension value $122M, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal kicks in throughout the 2026-27 season and is reportedly totally assured by way of the 2030-31 marketing campaign.
Smith noticed his stats take a slight dip final season in comparison with the earlier 12 months. The Auburn alum averaged 12.2 factors, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 43.8% taking pictures from the sphere and 35.4% from three-point vary throughout the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
He additionally got here off the bench for a very good chunk of the 12 months, which coincided with the emergence of Amen Thompson as an impression participant for Houston.
However the Rockets are banking on Smith tapping into his immense potential with Jalen Inexperienced and Dillon Brooks now off the staff. The 6-foot-11 ahead offers Houston a Swiss military knife who can play a number of positions on offense and capably defend opposing facilities in small-ball lineups.
Smith stays a part of a jumbo ahead rotation that features Thompson, Tari Eason, and newly-acquired celebrity Kevin Durant — all gamers 6-foot-8 or above.
After including Durant within the blockbuster commerce with the Phoenix Suns, Houston has locked in its core group for the approaching years. The staff has additionally signed Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jae’Sean Tate and even head coach Ime Udoka to new offers this offseason.
