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.
