Houston Rockets Extend Jabari Smith Jr
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Tari Eason’s Mother Sends Clear Message to Jabari Smith Jr. After Rockets’ $122M Decision
Teroya Eason tweeted, “Well s— Junior, lunch is definitely on you! … Congratulations to the whole family [heart emoji].” She was responding to reports of Jabari Smith Jr.’s five-year, $122 million rookie extension. Smith, drafted third overall in 2022, was instrumental in the Rockets’ surge to the No. 2 seed in the West and their first playoff berth in five years. As the Rockets continue to lock in their young core, all eyes now turn to whether Tari Eason—another 2022 draftee—will be next in line for a major payday. Eason has made a name for himself by doing the dirty work for the team. He doesn’t talk loud, but he plays loud. And with Dillon Brooks gone, Eason might finally be here soon enough to lead the team from the trenches. The Rockets are making it clear: they want a seat at the championship table, and they want it now.
Teroya Eason, known for her candid and supportive presence on social media, has long been a vocal advocate for not only her son but also his teammates—including Jabari Smith Jr. Few fans realize that Teroya, who tweets as “Momster,” once boldly declared, “The Houston Rockets WON the draft,” referencing the trio of TyTy Washington, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. This history of public praise set the stage for her latest viral moment.
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Teroya was responding to reports of Smith’s extension with trademark wit: “Well s— Junior, lunch is definitely on you! … Congratulations to the whole family [heart emoji].” Her message, posted directly in response to Shams Charania’s announcement about Smith’s five-year, $122 million rookie extension, underscored the close-knit, celebratory culture within the Rockets’ young roster and their families.
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As per Charania’s post, Jabari Smith Jr.’s new deal, fully guaranteed through the 2030-31 season, was negotiated by Rockets officials and Smith’s agent, Wallace Prather of LIFT Sports Management. And the numbers back the extension that he has landed. Smith is the only player from the 2022 draft class to amass at least 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds, per ESPN Research.
Despite missing time with a broken left hand, he averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, and in the playoffs, he shot a scorching 45.5 percent from three-point range—showing the kind of postseason upside that justifies such a commitment. The extension comes as Houston’s youth movement pays off. Smith, drafted third overall in 2022, was instrumental in the Rockets’ surge to the No. 2 seed in the West and their first playoff berth in five years.
The franchise’s refusal to include Jabari Smith Jr. in the Kevin Durant trade negotiations further underscores his status as a cornerstone. As the Rockets continue to lock in their young core, all eyes now turn to whether Tari Eason—another 2022 draftee—will be next in line for a major payday, setting up the next chapter in Houston’s high-stakes rebuild.
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What can things look like for Tari Eason after the blockbuster Rockets trade involving Kevin Durant
The Houston Rockets just shook up the NBA in a big way—and no, this isn’t your average offseason rumor. They’ve officially brought in Kevin Durant, a move that doesn’t just raise eyebrows—it sets off alarms across the league. For a team that’s been building patiently, this deal screams ambition. After years of being on the rise, the Rockets are making it clear: they want a seat at the championship table, and they want it now.
Durant’s arrival instantly upgrades their offense, offering the kind of firepower that perfectly complements the defense-first identity Ime Udoka has been crafting. But with big gains come tough goodbyes. Parting ways with Dillon Brooks wasn’t just a cap-space shuffle—it hit at the soul of the roster. Brooks wasn’t merely a role player; he was the spark plug, the no-nonsense competitor who brought edge and accountability night in and night out. His departure leaves more than a gap in the lineup—it leaves a leadership void, one that can’t be filled overnight. Enter Tari Eason.
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If there’s anyone on this roster who seems ready to pick up that emotional baton, it’s him. Eason has made a name for himself by doing the dirty work—diving for loose balls, sparking momentum when the team needs it most, and playing every possession like it’s Game 7. He doesn’t talk loud, but he plays loud. And that’s exactly the kind of energy Udoka’s system thrives on. With Brooks gone, Eason’s moment to lead from the trenches might finally be here. And soon enough it could be Teroya Eason cheering for his own son.
Rockets Guarantee $122 Million Contract To 6’10 Big; Still Have $80 Million Space To Extend Kevin Durant
Jabari Smith Jr signed a five-year, $122 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets. The contract keeps him with the team till the end of the 2030-31 season. The extension allows the Rockets to retain $80 million in luxury tax space. Kevin Durant and Tari Eason are the next players up for a contract extension. Durant is entering the final year of his $194 million contract that he signed with the Nets. The Rockets are expecting a $133.9 million payroll for the 2026-27 season, which is $80m below the luxury tax threshold for that season. Thus giving the Rockets enough flexibility to offer Tari. Eason a contract in the range of $17-$18 million per year, and Durant.
The Rockets have hit the ground running in the offseason and have now locked in another key piece in their frontcourt. They extended Jabari Smith Jr to a five-year $122 million contract that keeps him with the team till the end of the 2030-31 season.
Jabari Smith Jr., the former No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is the only player of the 2022 Draft Class with 2500 points and 1500 rebounds in his NBA career so far. And he was drafted after the likes of Paolo Banchero (an All-Star) and Chet Holmgren (NBA champion).
Smith has been stellar for the Rockets and a vital part of their rebuild under Ime Udoka over the last two seasons. During the 2024-25 season marred by a fractured left hand in January, Smith averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Smith has had trouble making three-pointers consistently, but during the playoffs, he showed promise by making 45.5% of his three-point attempts.
The 6’10 former Auburn superstar could have held out for one more season, taken the All-Star leap potentially this season, and asked for much more money. He could’ve demanded a five-year $246 million extension if he did that. But he chose his financial security so that he could focus on team goals instead of worrying about himself in the coming season.
Rockets’ Luxury Tax Analysis: Kevin Durant And Tari Eason’s Contract Extension
Following Jabari Smith Jr, the next players up for a contract extension with the Rockets are Tari Eason and Kevin Durant. Tari Eason was the 17th pick in the same draft class as Smith Jr (2022). Durant is entering the final year of his $194 million contract that he signed with the Nets. He is going to earn $54.7 million in the coming season, as a result.
According to Cap Sheets, the Rockets are currently expecting a $133.9 million payroll for the 2026-27 season. Which, as per Yossi Gozlan, their NBA Salary Cap Analyst, is $80 million below the luxury tax threshold for that season. Thus giving the Rockets enough flexibility to offer Tari Eason a contract in the range of $17-$18 million per year, and Durant gets in the range of $45-$50 million per year, for multiple years from that point.
The Rockets are also in a position to make more key trades this season. It was predicted that they could be in the race for any superstar to join forces with Kevin Durant in the coming season. It included players like Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo, or even LeBron James if their respective teams decide to listen to offers. The Rockets are on the verge of securing their long-term future and look like serious title contenders for the coming season.
Jabari Smith Jr. Secures Game-Changing 5-Year, $122 Million Extension with Rockets!
Jabari Smith Jr. signed a five-year, $122 million extension with the Houston Rockets, securing his future as they aim for contention. Smith Jr., drafted third overall in 2022, has been instrumental in the Rockets’ rise, showcasing versatility with averages of 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds last season. The Rockets are positioning themselves as a formidable force in the NBA, but will their strategy pay off in the upcoming season?
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The Houston Rockets are making headlines as they secure their future by extending forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s contract. This five-year, $122 million deal, reported on June 30, 2025, marks a significant step in Houston’s quest for NBA success.
6 Key Takeaways Jabari Smith Jr. signs five-year extension.
Contract worth approximately $122 million.
Extension starts in the 2026-27 season.
Rockets finished 52-30 last season.
Houston acquires Kevin Durant from Suns.
Multiple player and coach extensions secured.
Smith Jr., drafted third overall in 2022, has been instrumental in the Rockets’ rise, showcasing versatility with averages of 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds last season. As the team builds on a promising 52-30 record, the extension solidifies their commitment to a young core ready to compete.
Fast Answer: Jabari Smith Jr. signs a five-year, $122 million extension, ensuring his role in the Rockets’ future alongside a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant.
With Houston’s aggressive offseason moves, one must wonder: can they finally become contenders in the Western Conference? The Rockets are not just retaining talent; they are also acquiring star power. Key developments include:
Contract extensions for Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, and head coach Ime Udoka.
Retention of key free agents like Fred VanVleet and Jae’Sean Tate.
Acquisition of 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, enhancing their championship aspirations.
The Rockets are positioning themselves as a formidable force in the NBA, but will their strategy pay off in the upcoming season?
As the NBA season approaches, fans can look forward to seeing how these changes unfold on the court. Will the Rockets rise to the challenge and compete for the title?
Jabari Smith Jr. to sign five-year, $122-million contract extension with Rockets
The Houston Rockets are signing Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year, $122-million contract extension. The deal, which begins with the 2026-27 NBA season, is worth below $25 million in average annual value. Smith, drafted at No. 3 overall in the 2022 first round out of Auburn, is eligible for an extension after three NBA seasons. To date in the NBA, the 6-foot-11 forward has averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game.
Smith, drafted at No. 3 overall in the 2022 first round out of Auburn, is eligible for an extension after three NBA seasons. To date in the NBA, the 6-foot-11 forward has averaged 13.0 points (43.2% FG, 34.0% on 3-pointers) and 7.5 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game, and he remains one of the most valuable and versatile defenders for head coach Ime Udoka.
With both Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green headed to Phoenix in the trade bringing All-Star forward Kevin Durant to the Rockets, Smith is expected to return to Houston’s starting lineup next season.
“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,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, citing sources.
Smith, 22, started approximately the first half of the 2024-25 season at power forward for the Rockets, who finished at 52-30 and with the No. 2 record in the Western Conference. But Smith suffered a broken hand in a January practice and didn’t return until after the All-Star break, at which point Udoka opted to keep promising second-year talent Amen Thompson in the initial five. Thompson had begun the season in a sixth-man role.
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From that point forward, Smith played off the bench without complaint, though he will now presumably regain his starting spot for 2025-26 and beyond. Thompson, too, will remain a starter, with Smith and Durant taking the spots that belonged to Green and Brooks last season.
Rockets Set to Sign 22-Year-Old Forward to Massive $122 Million Contract After Blockbuster Kevin Durant Trade
Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Agree to 5-Year, $122 million Contract Extension. Smith had one year and $12.4 million remaining on his rookie deal. He is now under contract through the 2030-31 campaign, with his entire earnings fully guaranteed. The 22-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 1.7 3-pointers per game, shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from deep. The 6-foot-11 forward is the only 2022 draftee to amass career totals of 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds, a testament to his upside. The Rockets will look to take another step in the cutthroat Western Conference next year.
On June 22, Houston agreed to send shooting guard Jalen Green, veteran wing Dillon Brooks, its 2025 No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks to Phoenix in exchange for Durant. The Rockets were immediately hailed for retaining all of their top young forwards, including Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore.
A week later, the organization further solidified its frontcourt rotation by agreeing to terms on a sizable contract extension with Smith.
Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Agree to 5-Year, $122 Million Contract Extension
On Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Smith intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension with Houston. Smith, who had one year and $12.4 million remaining on his rookie deal, is now under contract through the 2030-31 campaign, with his entire earnings fully guaranteed.
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. intends to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Rockets officials and Smith’s agent, Wallace Prather of LIFT Sports Management, negotiated the fully guaranteed deal through 2030-31 season. pic.twitter.com/S1hb9n0PRh — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
Smith was frequently mentioned in Durant trade chatter as an enticing option for Phoenix, which needs forward talent. However, according to Charania, the Rockets have “significant belief in Smith,” who played a pivotal role as a versatile two-way forward for their upstart second-seeded squad (52-30). So much so that they reportedly remained firm on keeping the 22-year-old off the table in trade talks.
“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,” Charania wrote.
Across 57 outings this past season, Smith averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 1.7 3-pointers per game, shooting 43.8%, including 35.4% from deep.
Moreover, through three seasons, per ESPN Research, the 6-foot-11 forward is the only 2022 draftee to amass career totals of 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds, a testament to his upside.
Smith’s usage will likely take a hit with Durant, a 15-time All-Star coming off a 26.6 ppg season, entering the fold when his trade becomes finalized on July 6. Even so, he should gain invaluable mentorship from Durant that will pay dividends beyond the soon-to-be 37-year-old’s tenure with Houston.
Durant and the Rockets’ young core, headlined by star big man Alperen Şengün, will look to take another step in the cutthroat Western Conference next year. Despite its regular-season success, the team bowed out in seven games to the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors (48-34) in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
Source: https://athlonsports.com/nba/houston-rockets/houston-rockets-extend-jabari-smith-jr