Jabari Smith Jr. extends with Houston for $122 million

The Houston Rockets have formalized their trust in Jabari Smith Jr. by offering him a five-year contract extension worth $122 million. According to ESPN, the fully guaranteed deal ties the 22-year-old player to the franchise through the 2030-2031 season.

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Rockets officials and Smith’s agent, Wallace Prather of LIFT Sports Management, negotiated the fully guaranteed deal through 2030-31 season. pic.twitter.com/S1hb9n0PRh

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

Promising statistics despite injuries

This extension demonstrates Houston management’s absolute faith in their young talent. Selected third overall in the 2022 NBA draft, Smith Jr. quickly established himself as a central piece of the Rockets’ sporting project. Negotiations between franchise officials and Wallace Prather, the player’s agent at LIFT Sports Management, concluded swiftly this summer.

The forward contributed significantly to the Rockets’ resurgence during the past season. Houston secured second place in the Western Conference and made the playoffs for the first time in five years, led by a group of promising young players including Smith Jr.

Despite a season disrupted by a left hand fracture in January, Smith Jr. maintained averages of 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. While his three-point shooting remains inconsistent, he demonstrated his potential during the playoffs by converting 45.5% of his long-range attempts.

The player’s statistics demonstrate his early success: according to ESPN Research, he is the only player from his draft class to have already accumulated 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds. This extension is part of a busy offseason for Houston, notably marked by the spectacular acquisition of Kevin Durant. Highlighting Smith Jr.’s importance, the Rockets consistently refused the Suns’ requests to include the young forward in negotiations for Durant, considering him untouchable according to ESPN sources.

This extension completes a series of moves aimed at stabilizing the roster, with the renewals of Fred VanVleet, Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green, as well as extensions granted to Steven Adams and coach Ime Udoka.