Latest news with #JabariSmith
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jabari Smith to sign $122 million extension to his rookie contract with Rockets
Jabari Smith is signing a five-year, $122 million extension to his rookie contract with the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The deal secures Smith's services with the Rockets through the 2030-31 season as Houston locks up its core around the newly acquired Kevin Durant. The deal ensures that Smith won't test free agency next offseason. Smith will sign the extension with one year remaining on his four-year, $40.3 million rookie contract. Advertisement Smith, 22, was the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft behind Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and newly crowned NBA champion Chet Holmgren. Banchero and Holmgren are both eligible for max extensions that could be worth up to $247 million over five years. Jabari Smith has agreed to sign with the Rockets through the 2030-31 season. () (Alex Slitz via Getty Images) While Banchero is an All-Star and Holmgren flashed All-Star upside as an integral player in Oklahoma City's run to the NBA championship, Smith has settled in as a role player for a Rockets team that made the leap last season from the lottery to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. A 6-foot-11 stretch forward, Smith averaged 12.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game last season while shooting 43.8% from the floor and 35.4% from 3-point distance. He's a key rotation player on a roster that features emerging stars Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson alongside veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, who agreed last week to a two-year, $50 million contract to remain with the Rockets. Advertisement With the addition of Durant via last week's trade that sent Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to the Phoenix Suns, Houston seeks to take the next step into contention for an NBA championship. Houston finished second in the West with a 50-32 record last season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to an experienced Golden State Warriors team. The offseason flurry of transactions in Houston signals the team's intent to compete for a title season and beyond.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets Trade Forward Days After Kevin Durant Move
Rockets Trade Forward Days After Kevin Durant Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Houston Rockets have definitely decided that this offseason is not the time to play it safe. First, they stunned everyone by pulling off a blockbuster move to bring Kevin Durant to town, a trade that instantly turned heads all around the league. But landing KD was just the beginning. Advertisement Now, with their sights firmly set on chasing a championship, the Rockets are making more moves to tweak the roster around their new superstar. According to The Athetic's Kelly Iko, Houston has traded Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for two second-round picks. Whitmore, who's about to turn 21 on Tuesday, was snagged by the Rockets as the 20th pick in the 2023 draft out of Villanova. He was actually their second first-rounder that year, coming in right after Amen Thompson. In his most recent season, Whitmore put up about 9.4 points and grabbed three boards a game, hitting 36% from deep on 183 attempts, a slight dip from his rookie year when he averaged 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds with the same three-point clip. Advertisement Cam Whitmore played two seasons with the Houston Rockets after being drafted out of Villanova in Today Sports Apart from Whitmore and Durant, the Rockets also locked in Dorian Finney-Smith and made sure to keep some key pieces around, handing out extensions to Steven Adams and former first-rounder Jabari Smith. Safe to say, Houston's going all in to build a squad that can really contend. Based on the NBA title odds, the Rockets are now among the prime contenders to win a championship. Houston is listed at +850 on ESPN Bet to win the 2025-26 title, behind only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (+250), Cleveland Cavaliers (+800) and New York Knicks (+800). Related: Houston Rockets Alex Sengun is Among the NBA's Top Centers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bill Simmons hints that Rockets are loading up for huge 3-for-1 trade
The post Bill Simmons hints that Rockets are loading up for huge 3-for-1 trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. NBA analyst Bill Simmons believes the Houston Rockets are preparing for a significant consolidation trade, pointing to the team's depth and flexibility as signs of a potential 'three-for-one' move during the upcoming 2025–26 season. Advertisement On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons outlined Houston's current roster situation and suggested the franchise may be planning to convert its surplus of talent into a star acquisition midseason. 'So the Houston piece, that was the second thing I was looking at. Them overstocking their roster and all the flexibility they have,' Simmons said. 'They have [Alperen] Sengun, [Steven] Adams and [Clint] Capela and Jock Landale… [Kevin] Durant, Jabari Smith, and [Dorian] Finney-Smith… Amen Thompson, [Tari] Eason, [Cam] Whitmore, Fred VanVleet, and Reed Sheppard. And there's only 240 minutes in a basketball game. So my interpretation is they're stacking this for a three-for-one in the December, January, February range.' Simmons went on to add that if a major player becomes available, the Rockets have the depth and assets to make a compelling offer. Advertisement 'They're one of the five contenders in the NBA now… Sengun, Jabari Smith, and Eason plus some of your picks for this,' Simmons added. 'They're not positioned for that.' Houston's offseason has been one of the most aggressive in the league. The team finalized a blockbuster deal that sent Kevin Durant from Phoenix to the Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, used on Khaman Maluach. The trade marked a dramatic shift in direction for the franchise as it added the 36-year-old superstar to a roster already filled with developing talent and veteran contributors. Bill Simmons suggests Rockets' crowded roster signals possible big trade Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports In free agency, the Rockets further bolstered their rotation. Dorian Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53 million contract, and Clint Capela agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million deal to return to the franchise. Capela last played for the Rockets in the 2019–20 season before stints with Atlanta. Advertisement Simmons' remarks followed reporting from The Athletic suggesting the Durant deal could evolve into one of the largest trades in league history. The two-team framework between the Suns and Rockets is reportedly being expanded to include seven franchises: the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. 'The Hawks would be sending Clint Capela to the Rockets in what would become a sign-and-trade, league sources say,' The Athletic reported. 'Durant would go to Houston. The previously reported return for him, including Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, would go to Phoenix. 'Only five players who were in the NBA last season are being discussed in the current iteration of the trade… The rest of the players being discussed are all from already-agreed-upon draft-night trades that are yet to be finalized and can't be until July 6.' With Kevin Durant now in place and a crowded rotation at every position, Houston is viewed as a leading candidate to make another splash before the trade deadline. Related: Rockets waive 6-foot-11 forward Related: Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen feud recalled by former Rockets teammate
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
After Kevin Durant trade, Jabari Smith Jr. likely to rejoin Houston's starting lineup
With the Rockets sending out two starters (Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks) to Phoenix in the trade bringing in All-Star forward Kevin Durant, Houston suddenly has two open spots in its starting lineup. One, of course, will be filled by the future Hall of Famer. The other could go to Jabari Smith Jr., per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Advertisement In a story published Sunday, Iko and Sam Amick wrote: Team sources said there are early indications Smith will likely return to the starting lineup, with Thompson — who originally replaced Smith last season after Smith broke his hand — slotting into Green's vacated starting spot. The Rockets now possess ample length at four starting positions, amplifying the defensive tools head coach Ime Udoka now has at his disposal. As things stand, that would make Houston's probable 2025-26 starting lineup comprised of Fred VanVleet, Thompson, Durant, Smith, and Alperen Sengun. Top reserves include Tari Eason and Steven Adams, with young prospects Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore potentially knocking at the door for more minutes, as well. Smith, an Auburn product, will be eligible on July 1 for a contract extension with the Rockets. Drafted at No. 3 overall in the 2022 first round, the 6-foot-11 forward averaged 12.2 points (35.4% on 3-pointers) and 7.0 rebounds during his third NBA season, but he lost his starting role midway through 2024-25 after suffering a broken hand. During that six-week absence, Thompson flourished and never went back to the bench. But now, with Green and Brooks on the way out of Houston's lineup, it's Smith who (along with Durant) is seemingly on the way back in. In addition to net shooting and scoring benefits, Smith and Durant's length could also boost the defense of a Houston squad that is already elite on that end. Advertisement More: NBA trade reaction: Rockets, Rafael Stone praised for Kevin Durant deal This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Report: Jabari Smith Jr. likely to rejoin Houston's starting lineup
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Bracing To Lose Dorian Finney-Smith To Rockets In NBA Free Agency
Lakers Bracing To Lose Dorian Finney-Smith To Rockets In NBA Free Agency originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a pivotal blow to their offseason strategy, as veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith is reportedly on the verge of signing a multi-year deal with the Houston Rockets, per Dan Woike. According to team sources, the Lakers are now bracing for Finney-Smith's departure after attempts to retain him began stalling over contract value and long-term role. Advertisement "The Lakers are bracing to lose forward Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency to a multi-year deal with the Houston Rockets, according to team sources." "The loss of a valuable wing like Finney-Smith — and a beloved teammate of Doncic — will create a void on the perimeter, but his exit will open up a pathway for the Lakers to be aggressive targeting the top available centers in free agency." Finney-Smith, who recently declined his $15.4 million player option for the 2025–26 season, entered unrestricted free agency with considerable leverage. Though his raw numbers don't leap off the stat sheet — 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game last season- his reputation as a defensive stopper, floor spacer, and glue guy has made him one of the most sought-after 3-and-D wings on the market. The Rockets, fresh off extending Jabari Smith Jr. and still holding notable cap space, are reportedly eager to bring in a versatile veteran like Finney-Smith to shore up their wing defense and provide playoff experience to a young team that just acquired Kevin Durant. Advertisement That interest, combined with the Lakers' reluctance to offer the full $90.2 million contract Finney-Smith is eligible for, has tilted the race in Houston's favor. His potential departure will leave a significant void for Los Angeles, not just defensively, but in terms of chemistry. Finney-Smith has been a close confidant of Luka Doncic, who was recently traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster move. One such pivot could involve salvaging value through a sign-and-trade deal with Houston. A rumored proposal would see the Lakers send Finney-Smith to the Rockets in exchange for Cam Whitmore and Jock Landale. Whitmore, a 20-year-old wing with star potential, averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds last season, while Landale added a rugged frontcourt presence with 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in limited minutes. However, such a deal can only materialize through a sign-and-trade structure, meaning Finney-Smith would need to agree to a new contract with the Lakers before being moved. Advertisement If this scenario falls through, the Lakers will likely turn their attention to the top centers on the market. Deandre Ayton, who was recently bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, has emerged as a potential target, though league insiders remain skeptical of his fit alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic due to his inconsistent motor and high usage rate. The loss of Finney-Smith also places added importance on the Lakers' 2025 draft pick, Adou Thiero, a promising two-way wing taken with the 36th selection. Thiero will likely be asked to develop quickly and fill some of the perimeter defensive responsibilities vacated by DFS. As LeBron continues to monitor the Lakers' offseason maneuvers and with whispers of retirement or a trade swirling around him, the pressure is on the front office to respond swiftly. Losing Finney-Smith may not doom their title hopes, but replacing him will be anything but easy. Related: Bold Trade Idea Brings A Center And Wing To Lakers; Win-Win Scenario For Rob Pelinka This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
