logo
Reports: Rockets reward Jabari Smith Jr. with 5-year, $122M extension

Reports: Rockets reward Jabari Smith Jr. with 5-year, $122M extension

Reuters10 hours ago

June 30 - The Houston Rockets and forward Jabari Smith Jr. agreed to a five-year, $122 million extension of his rookie contract, ESPN and The Athletic reported Sunday.
Smith, 22, has averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds across three NBA seasons since the Rockets selected him third overall in the 2022 draft. He put up 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game over 57 games (39 starts) in 2024-25.
Smith helped the Rockets earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, though Houston then lost a seven-game series to the Golden State Warriors in the first round.
The Rockets responded by making a blockbuster trade to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Durant joins a Houston core that includes Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet, with VanVleet reported to receive a two-year, $50 million contract to remain with the Rockets
--Field Level Media

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NBA legend LeBron James, 40, makes official decision on retirement
NBA legend LeBron James, 40, makes official decision on retirement

Daily Mail​

time39 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

NBA legend LeBron James, 40, makes official decision on retirement

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James as officially opted into his $52.6million player option for the upcoming NBA season. James was widely expected to make the move where he gains the huge payday, with his decision to play on for the Lakers prolonging his retirement at least one year. James will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026 season, when he will be 41. James opting in leaves the Lakers with under $6million to spend on free agents and other moves this offseason, per ESPN. Klutch Sport CEO Rich Paul, James' agent told the outlet that LeBron 'knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.' James has been with the Lakers since 2018, winning an NBA Championship in 2018. The team has inserted his good friend JJ Redick as Los Angeles' head coach and drafted son Bronny James to the team last year. James could retire at the end of this upcoming season, with a severe pay cut expected should he want to continue playing. Rarely has a player over 40 garnered the kind of money James would like, with Tom Brady being an exception. If someone could replicate that, James appears to be in good shape to do so. James has held a contract at the NBA's maximum since 2014, with that figure likely coming to an end at the end of this season no matter what. James may be trading out the hardwood for Hollywood after he retires from the NBA, as he has hinted at making the jump to acting. James has previously hosted ' Saturday Night Live ' and was the star in the movie 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' - which flopped compared to its iconic predecessor. A full-time career in Hollywood would no doubt be lucrative for James, with interest from studios an unknown. 'If the scripts start to roll in and there's an opportunity for me to do some acting and I have the time... I don't mind looking at it and seeing if I can make it happen,' James said to the Hollywood Reporter.

Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign
Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign

BreakingNews.ie

timean hour ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Guardiola unsure if Club World Cup will affect City's Premier League campaign

Pep Guardiola concedes he does not know if Manchester City's next Premier League challenge will be 'destroyed' by their Club World Cup campaign or not. England manager Thomas Tuchel recently said the involvement of City and Chelsea in this summer's tournament in the United States would hand the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal a 'huge advantage' in the title race. Advertisement Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also described the event as 'the worst idea ever implemented in football' because of concerns over player welfare. Guardiola, however, insists City – who face Al-Hilal in a last-16 tie in Orlando on Monday night (2am Tuesday UK) – are focused on rediscovering their best after a frustrating 2024-25 season and claiming the prize. The City manager said: 'I try to relax, enjoy the days here and the good vibes that we have, the competition and we try to win it. 'The most important thing is to recover and find within ourselves what we were. That's my main target in this tournament. Advertisement 'I want them to feel that this is our path again to be competitive like we have been in eight of the last nine years. 'After this, let's see what happens. Let's see what happens after the final. We will rest for the time the Premier League allow us. 'Maybe in November, December or January it will be a disaster, we are exhausted and the World Cup has destroyed us. 'I don't know, it's the first time in our lives that this has happened. We will see when we come back.' Advertisement Jurgen Klopp (left) and Pep Guardiola (right) had a big rivalry (Isaac Parkin/PA) Guardiola says he can understand the viewpoint of his old rival Klopp, now head of global soccer for Red Bull, who had a team involved in the tournament in Salzburg. Yet he suggested people complaining might be jealous. Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: 'I fought a lot with Jurgen many, many times. I know where his idea comes from. 'I respect him, I would defend his argument as well. At the same time, as managers, we are in a job. We don't organise the competitions. Advertisement 'Once we are here, we are proud. Many, many teams complain about these competitions because they are not here, otherwise they might love being here.' Weather problems have been a recurring issue in the tournament both in terms of intense heat and thunderstorms. Chelsea's players were forced off the field due to a thunderstorm (Chris Carlson/AP) Chelsea's last-16 victory over Benfica on Saturday was suspended for almost two hours due to lightning in the vicinity. Guardiola said: 'I am an extraordinary manager but to control lightning and thunder, still I am not good enough! Advertisement 'If it is (suspended) here the same reason as why they suspend the other one, I will go inside and we will continue to be active and play again. 'It is not the ideal situation but I grew up to understand not to be worried about the situations that I can't control. So no problem.'

Next UFC Fight Night: Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira start time, card and how to watch
Next UFC Fight Night: Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira start time, card and how to watch

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Next UFC Fight Night: Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira start time, card and how to watch

The UFC is mixed martial arts' flagship promotion, home to some of the best fighters in the world. It stages events almost every weekend of the year, with pay-per-view cards taking place once a month on average – marking the company's biggest shows. Here is a look at the UFC's next event, including all the fights set to take place, what time they start and how to watch the card. Saturday 22 July – UFC Fight Night – Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, US What time does it start? The prelims are due to begin at 11pm BST (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET), with the main card following at 2am BST on Sunday (6pm PT, 8pm CT, 9pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster's app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC's Fight Pass. Full card (subject to change) Main card Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira (heavyweight) Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim (welterweight) Jake Matthews vs Chidi Njokuani (welterweight) Calvin Kattar vs Steve Garcia (featherweight) Nate Landwehr vs Morgan Charriere (featherweight) Vitor Petrino vs Austen Lane (heavyweight) Junior Tafa vs Tuco Tokkos (light-heavyweight) Prelims Max Griffin vs Chris Curtis (welterweight) Jake Matthews vs Chidi Njokuani (welterweight) Lauren Murphy vs Eduarda Moura (women's flyweight)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store