Rockets sign Jabari Smith Jr. to five-year, $122 million extension

Smith’s deal is fully guaranteed.

The Houston Rockets wasted very little time at the start of free agency, committing to forward Jabari Smith Jr. for the long term by offering him a five-year, $122 deal that is fully guaranteed through the 2031 season.

Despite missing some time with a broken hand this season and not regaining back his starting job upon return, Smith is considered one of Houston’s main core and is expected back in the starting lineup at power forward this seaso.

He averaged 12.2 points, 7 boards, and 1.1 assists on 43.8 percent shooting from the floor and 35.4 percent shooting from deep. He played well in the first round NBA Playoffs series against the Golden State Warriors despite still coming off of the bench, shooting over 45 percent from deep in series.

This deal is a huge vote of confidence for Smith, who despite playing well at times, has yet to full realize his potential as a former number three overall pick. It’s important to remember that Smith just turned 22 this offseason, so the Rockets obviously see his potential still growing in short and long term with this extension averaging $24.4 million per year. Smith is the only draftee from the 2022 NBA Draft Class to have 2500 points and 1500 rebounds so far in his career (Paolo Banchero has 1398 boards to Smith’s 1584).

The Rockets continue a busy offseason in which they traded for Kevin Durant, extended head coach Ime Udoka, and re-signed Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday and now the Smith extension.

Rafael Stone likley now turns his attention to Tari Eason, who is a bit more complicated of a case, as Eason has played in just 79 out of 164 games the past two seasons. We’ll see what Stone can come with after reportedly keeping Eason out of any talks about Kevin Durant.

Congrats to ‘Bari. One of my favorite Rockets!