Rockets lock in Jabari Smith Jr. with $122M extension

HOUSTON: The Houston Rockets have secured a key piece of their future, agreeing to a five-year, $122 million extension with forward Jabari Smith Jr., according to reports from ESPN and The Athletic on Sunday.

Smith, 22, has shown steady development since being selected third overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaging 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds across three seasons. In the 2024–25 campaign, he contributed 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds over 57 games, including 39 starts.

His performances helped Houston clinch the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, though they fell in a tightly contested seven-game series against the Golden State Warriors in the first round.

In response, the Rockets made a statement by trading for superstar Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Durant will join an emerging core featuring Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Fred VanVleet — the latter reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $50 million deal to stay in Houston.

With Smith locked in and Durant now on board, the Rockets appear poised to become serious contenders in the West.