Houston Rockets-Jabari Smith Jr. Agree On 5-Year Contract Extension

Justin Rimpi
Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets and Power Forward Jabari Smith Jr. agreed on a five-year $122 million contract extension Sunday night. Smith Jr. will remain with the squad through the 2030-2021 season. He is coming off a solid season. Smith Jr. averaged 12.2 points per game on 43.8% shooting from the field and 35.4% shooting from three-point range. Will Smith Jr. continue being a key piece in Houston?

Houston Rockets Season Outlook

After finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, it has been a dream offseason for the Houston Rockets. Their marquee move was acquiring all-time great Kevin Durant. Houston also brought back multiple key pieces from last year’s squad. They extended Head Coach Ime Udoka and Center Steven Adams. The Rockets also re-signed Point Guard Fred VanVleet and veteran Jeff Green. These moves illustrate a team that is going all-in for the 2025-26 season. 

Final Thoughts

The Houston Rockets are set to answer next season with championship aspirations. Locking up Smith Jr. is a shrewd move by the organization. He is a solid player but must improve his offensive game to reach his full potential. Getting to learn from a historic scorer like Durant, will help the young player in that department. Smith Jr. may also have to adapt to a bench role. Durant is expected to start at the power forward position. That is not a negative for the team. The young power forward will give Houston one of the best sixth men in the National Basketball Association.

Justin Rimpi

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.