Sources – Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. to sign $122M extension

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension, sources told ESPN.

Rockets officials and Smith’s agent, Wallace Prather of LIFT Sports Management, negotiated the fully guaranteed deal through 2030-31 season. The Rockets have held significant belief in Smith, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, and the sides worked toward a deal quickly this offseason.

Smith was part of a young Rockets core that blossomed into a force this season, helping Houston to the No. 2 seed in the West and its first postseason in five years.

Smith, 22, averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in a year that was disrupted by a broken left hand in January. Smith has struggled to find consistency with his 3-point shot but flashed his potential in the postseason by canning 45.5% of his looks from distance.

The agreement is the latest in a busy early offseason for Houston, highlighted by the blockbuster acquisition of Kevin Durant. 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, sources said.

The Rockets have also agreed to deals to retain Fred VanVleet, Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green and gave extensions to Steven Adams and head coach Ime Udoka over the last two weeks.

Source: espn.com