Rockets retain Jabari Smith on $122M extension
Dec 6, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) talks to guard Fred VanVleet (5) during a Oklahoma City Thunder timeout in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Houston is buying into Jabari Smith playing a key role for the Rockets in more ways than one.
Smith, the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft, is set to sign a five-year, $122 million extension with the revamped Rockets, who also put together a new deal with point guard Fred VanVleet in a remodeled rotation that will feature Kevin Durant.
Smith, 22, has averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds across three NBA seasons. He averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds over 57 games (39 starts) in 2024-25.
Smith helped the Rockets earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, where Houston was eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
The Rockets made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason in acquiring 15-time All-Star Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
Durant, 36, joins a Houston core that includes Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and VanVleet.
--Field Level Media
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