Jabari Smith Jr. Reportedly to Sign $122M Rockets Contract After Kevin Durant Trade

Jabari Smith Jr. is staying in Houston.

Smith intends to sign a five-year, $122 million contract extension with the Rockets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The fully-guaranteed deal will run through the 2030-31 season.

Smith was previously set to play the 2025-26 season on a $12.4 million club option before hitting restricted free agency in 2026.

His new contract comes as the Rockets prepare for Smith to potentially take on a full-time role in the Rockets' starting five next season.

The Athletic’s Kelly Iko and Sam Amick reported in June that Smith is expected to step into the starting lineup after the franchise's blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant.

The former No. 3 pick averaged 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds while starting the first 33 games of the Rockets' season.

He then broke his left hand during a shootaround, an injury that forced him to miss 22 games between January and February.

Afer returning to the Rockets' bench on Feb. 21, Smith moved in and out of the starting lineup for the rest of the regular season. He finished the campaign having averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists through 57 games and 39 starts.

During the team's first playoff run in five years, Smith averaged 7.4 points in seven games before the Rockets were eliminated from the first round by the Golden State Warriors.

His new contract is a sign the Rockets see Smith as a long-term piece of the contender they are hoping to build around their young core.

Smith, who is set to turn 22 in October, saw his shooting regress slightly amid his injury issues last season. The Rockets will hope to see his efficiency climb as he potentially gets more minutes during a healthier fourth NBA campaign in 2025-26.