The Rockets intend to sign Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year rookie extension worth $122MM, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter).
Smith was in and out of the Rockets’ starting lineup this season, but was presumed to be in line to take the starting power forward role following the Rockets’ trade for Kevin Durant.
The former number three pick in the 2022 draft, Smith posted a career-low in points per game as his role fluctuated and he dealt with injuries, but the appeal of his skillset in the modern game is clear. Smith has averaged 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 35.9% from three on 4.9 attempts over the previous two seasons.
A tough-minded defender with a capable jump shot and some untapped potential as a shot creator, Smith will slot into a primarily off-ball role offensively next to Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, and Durant, while helping create a defensive infrastructure as a skilled weakside rim protector next to Sengun and Amen Thompson.
This deal will lock up the talented young power forward through the 2030/31 season. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko confirms (via Twitter) that the deal is fully guaranteed and contains no team or player options. ESPN’s Bobby Marks expressed some surprise at how early the deal got done, as typically the first week of free agency remains the providence of players receiving max contracts, which Smith did not.