Since agreeing to acquire superstar forward Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal with the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets have focused on locking up their core long-term. The franchise’s latest move keeps its 2022 No. 3 pick in H-Town for the foreseeable future, after initial trade rumors suggested he could be on the move.
On June 22, Houston agreed to send shooting guard Jalen Green, veteran wing Dillon Brooks, its 2025 No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks to Phoenix in exchange for Durant. The Rockets were immediately hailed for retaining all of their top young forwards, including Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore.
A week later, the organization further solidified its frontcourt rotation by agreeing to terms on a sizable contract extension with Smith.
Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Agree to 5-Year, $122 Million Contract Extension
On Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Smith intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension with Houston. Smith, who had one year and $12.4 million remaining on his rookie deal, is now under contract through the 2030-31 campaign, with his entire earnings fully guaranteed.
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
Smith was frequently mentioned in Durant trade chatter as an enticing option for Phoenix, which needs forward talent. However, according to Charania, the Rockets have “significant belief in Smith,” who played a pivotal role as a versatile two-way forward for their upstart second-seeded squad (52-30). So much so that they reportedly remained firm on keeping the 22-year-old off the table in trade talks.
“As the Rockets negotiated the Durant trade, the franchise continually rebuffed requests from the Suns to include Smith, making clear that Smith was part of Houston’s long-term core,” Charania wrote.
Across 57 outings this past season, Smith averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 1.7 3-pointers per game, shooting 43.8%, including 35.4% from deep.
Moreover, through three seasons, per ESPN Research, the 6-foot-11 forward is the only 2022 draftee to amass career totals of 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds, a testament to his upside.
Smith’s usage will likely take a hit with Durant, a 15-time All-Star coming off a 26.6-ppg season, entering the fold when his trade becomes finalized on July 6. Even so, he should gain invaluable mentorship from Durant that will pay dividends beyond the soon-to-be 37-year-old’s tenure with Houston.
Durant and the Rockets’ young core, headlined by star big man Alperen Şengün, will look to take another step in the cutthroat Western Conference next year. Despite its regular-season success, the team bowed out in seven games to the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors (48-34) in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
