Jabari Smith Jr. is staying in Houston

Jabari Smith Jr. is set to sign a five-year, $122 million fully guaranteed extension with the Houston Rockets, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal, which secures Smith through the 2030-31 season, replaces his $12.4 million club option for 2025-26 and avoids restricted free agency in 2026. Smith is expected to step into a full-time starting role next season following the Rockets’ blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. The 2022 No. 3 overall pick averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 57 games last season. 

He started 39 of those but missed 22 games with a broken hand. After returning on February 21, Smith rotated in and out of the lineup. In his first playoff experience, he posted 7.4 points per game over seven contests as the Rockets were ousted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors, ending their five-year postseason drought.