Shams: Jabari Smith Jr. to Sign 5-year/$122M Rookie Extension with the Rockets

[M2J]

Personally I think Tari Eason has more upside than Smith. But I guess they can rotate a 3 man big rotation with him smith and sengun

Jabari can play some center and defend the perimeter plus shoot. Basically can play 3,4 or 5. That's critical for any team, but super important to a team that has Sengun as an all star center. I like Sengun, but he needs a Jabari next to him as Sengun cannot anchor your defense. Similar to how Gordon protects Jokic

[NCHeels2008]

Personally I think Tari Eason has more upside than Smith. But I guess they can rotate a 3 man big rotation with him smith and sengun

Jabari can play some center and defend the perimeter plus shoot. Basically can play 3,4 or 5. That's critical for any team, but super important to a team that has Sengun as an all star center. I like Sengun, but he needs a Jabari next to him as Sengun cannot anchor your defense. Similar to how Gordon protects Jokic

Jabari is incredible, there's very few guys who can credibly go 3-5 on both ends of the floor.

[scrabbarista]

YES!!

[scrabbarista]

Personally I think Tari Eason has more upside than Smith. But I guess they can rotate a 3 man big rotation with him smith and sengun

Jabari can play some center and defend the perimeter plus shoot. Basically can play 3,4 or 5. That's critical for any team, but super important to a team that has Sengun as an all star center. I like Sengun, but he needs a Jabari next to him as Sengun cannot anchor your defense. Similar to how Gordon protects Jokic

Jabari is incredible, there's very few guys who can credibly go 3-5 on both ends of the floor.

Yes, and he switches onto 1's and 2's well, too.

[scrabbarista]

Since when did Houston became such a well run organization? I thought it was just recently they ran a AAU like team with me first players Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.

Stone and the owner’s kid has been really good. Not having Silas and replacing with Udoka has helped too

Watch on YouTube

[ClutchCity713]

Since when did Houston became such a well run organization? I thought it was just recently they ran a AAU like team with me first players Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.

You must started watching the NBA 5 years ago. Rockets always been a well run organization. A few years of being bad don't change that.

[HotelVitale]

Read on Twitter

Solid contract but this is a pretty random and shoddy way of creating context. The cap spike year produced insane contracts and people were always surprised by Ryan Anderson's deal, no reason to take two super unusual things to explain the norm.

This is the same type of deal that tons of players have now. Jaden McDaniels, DeAndre Hunter, Malik Monk, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Lu Dort, etc. It's not like meh rotation guy money, it's a hefty amount that teams shell out to guys they're pretty sure will be key starters. This contract is probably going to look like a failure if Smith doens't get to that level.

Also looking at 2016, no reason to talk about Ryan Anderson when that $11-12m is what like Iggy, Horford, Kemba, Jrue, Curry, etc made at the time. The cap jump started to kick those up, but this isn't a wild cap jump year this year so really not point at all bringing that up.

That’s not even starter money in this market. With growth for more development and the cap increasing this is a solid deal for a or a top pick.

It's definitely good starter money. It'd be about a top-100 contract, spread across 30 teams. Basically everyone making like $18-22m now (what Smith's contract would be translated to 2026-28) is a very good starter or was expected to be.

[Drakeem]

I like Jabari Smith but from all accounts he didn't seem to take a step last season (regression in some aspects as well).

I mean, I guess you pay your young guys based on potential but yeeeuughh, it's a lot of money.

[Harry Palmer]

Imo that’s basically paying him for his floor; anything above will be gravy. Stone is very impressive.

[djsunyc]

tax wise, is this like getting $140 mil elsewhere?

i think to account for that, maybe the nba should alter the cba to use a universal cap hit based on local taxes.

like ny state tax is over 20% while texas and florida are 0%. wont even bring up canada. it's an easy decision for players if money is a motivating factor.

[NO-KG-AI]

Read on Twitter

Solid contract but this is a pretty random and shoddy way of creating context. The cap spike year produced insane contracts and people were always surprised by Ryan Anderson's deal, no reason to take two super unusual things to explain the norm.

This is the same type of deal that tons of players have now. Jaden McDaniels, DeAndre Hunter, Malik Monk, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Lu Dort, etc. It's not like meh rotation guy money, it's a hefty amount that teams shell out to guys they're pretty sure will be key starters. This contract is probably going to look like a failure if Smith doens't get to that level.

Also looking at 2016, no reason to talk about Ryan Anderson when that $11-12m is what like Iggy, Horford, Kemba, Jrue, Curry, etc made at the time. The cap jump started to kick those up, but this isn't a wild cap jump year this year so really not point at all bringing that up.

That’s not even starter money in this market. With growth for more development and the cap increasing this is a solid deal for a or a top pick.

It's definitely good starter money. It'd be about a top-100 contract, spread across 30 teams. Basically everyone making like $18-22m now (what Smith's contract would be translated to 2026-28) is a very good starter or was expected to be.

I am kind of surprised how much people like this deal. They basically hate every contract on this board, but $125 mill for a guy who isn’t very good and hasn’t really changed from year 1 to 3 is kind of wild. He’s getting paid because he was a high pick, and they still have high hopes, but he needs to improve a lot to justify this deal and any kind of role increase.

[Bad Bart]

Imo that’s basically paying him for his floor; anything above will be gravy. Stone is very impressive.

Agreed, already a 3&D guy, he has a ton of potential he has yet to tap into. Aren't many players that can protect the rim while being switchable and hit the 3 at a decent percentage out there, especially with his height, length and age.

[Wingy]

Read on Twitter

Solid contract but this is a pretty random and shoddy way of creating context. The cap spike year produced insane contracts and people were always surprised by Ryan Anderson's deal, no reason to take two super unusual things to explain the norm.

This is the same type of deal that tons of players have now. Jaden McDaniels, DeAndre Hunter, Malik Monk, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Lu Dort, etc. It's not like meh rotation guy money, it's a hefty amount that teams shell out to guys they're pretty sure will be key starters. This contract is probably going to look like a failure if Smith doens't get to that level.

Also looking at 2016, no reason to talk about Ryan Anderson when that $11-12m is what like Iggy, Horford, Kemba, Jrue, Curry, etc made at the time. The cap jump started to kick those up, but this isn't a wild cap jump year this year so really not point at all bringing that up.

That’s not even starter money in this market. With growth for more development and the cap increasing this is a solid deal for a or a top pick.

It's definitely good starter money. It'd be about a top-100 contract, spread across 30 teams. Basically everyone making like $18-22m now (what Smith's contract would be translated to 2026-28) is a very good starter or was expected to be.

I am kind of surprised how much people like this deal. They basically hate every contract on this board, but $125 mill for a guy who isn’t very good and hasn’t really changed from year 1 to 3 is kind of wild. He’s getting paid because he was a high pick, and they still have high hopes, but he needs to improve a lot to justify this deal and any kind of role increase.

I think people have come to accept the new economic reality and are either A) getting over the sticker shock, or B) overcompensating and pricing in too much sticker shock.

I’m assuming A) and that this is pretty normal, decent starter money now. If he develops and fulfills more of his potential, it can become a value deal. Maybe I’m wrong and it’s actually B) though.

[MoreyWins]

Read on Twitter

Solid contract but this is a pretty random and shoddy way of creating context. The cap spike year produced insane contracts and people were always surprised by Ryan Anderson's deal, no reason to take two super unusual things to explain the norm.

This is the same type of deal that tons of players have now. Jaden McDaniels, DeAndre Hunter, Malik Monk, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Lu Dort, etc. It's not like meh rotation guy money, it's a hefty amount that teams shell out to guys they're pretty sure will be key starters. This contract is probably going to look like a failure if Smith doens't get to that level.

Also looking at 2016, no reason to talk about Ryan Anderson when that $11-12m is what like Iggy, Horford, Kemba, Jrue, Curry, etc made at the time. The cap jump started to kick those up, but this isn't a wild cap jump year this year so really not point at all bringing that up.

That’s not even starter money in this market. With growth for more development and the cap increasing this is a solid deal for a or a top pick.

It's definitely good starter money. It'd be about a top-100 contract, spread across 30 teams. Basically everyone making like $18-22m now (what Smith's contract would be translated to 2026-28) is a very good starter or was expected to be.

I am kind of surprised how much people like this deal. They basically hate every contract on this board, but $125 mill for a guy who isn’t very good and hasn’t really changed from year 1 to 3 is kind of wild. He’s getting paid because he was a high pick, and they still have high hopes, but he needs to improve a lot to justify this deal and any kind of role increase.

His impact is deeper than his box score numbers. There's not a ton of rim protectors that shoot threes, rebound, can take two dribble pull ups, and switch on defense. $24M for a winning role player with upside to get better is very fair. He's not just getting paid because he's the 3rd pick, he's getting paid because he's good (and often players who don't jump off the stat sheet get shafted from the credit they deserve).

[NO-KG-AI]

Solid contract but this is a pretty random and shoddy way of creating context. The cap spike year produced insane contracts and people were always surprised by Ryan Anderson's deal, no reason to take two super unusual things to explain the norm.

This is the same type of deal that tons of players have now. Jaden McDaniels, DeAndre Hunter, Malik Monk, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Lu Dort, etc. It's not like meh rotation guy money, it's a hefty amount that teams shell out to guys they're pretty sure will be key starters. This contract is probably going to look like a failure if Smith doens't get to that level.

Also looking at 2016, no reason to talk about Ryan Anderson when that $11-12m is what like Iggy, Horford, Kemba, Jrue, Curry, etc made at the time. The cap jump started to kick those up, but this isn't a wild cap jump year this year so really not point at all bringing that up.


It's definitely good starter money. It'd be about a top-100 contract, spread across 30 teams. Basically everyone making like $18-22m now (what Smith's contract would be translated to 2026-28) is a very good starter or was expected to be.

I am kind of surprised how much people like this deal. They basically hate every contract on this board, but $125 mill for a guy who isn’t very good and hasn’t really changed from year 1 to 3 is kind of wild. He’s getting paid because he was a high pick, and they still have high hopes, but he needs to improve a lot to justify this deal and any kind of role increase.

His impact is deeper than his box score numbers. There's not a ton of rim protectors that shoot threes, rebound, can take two dribble pull ups, and switch on defense. $24M for a winning role player with upside to get better is very fair. He's not just getting paid because he's the 3rd pick, he's getting paid because he's good (and often players who don't jump off the stat sheet get shafted from the credit they deserve).

He’s not really a rim protector, and he’s damn sure not any type of dribble threat. He’s an ok defender and rebounder, and right below the league average in 3 point shooting despite being assisted on 97% of them.

He’s been a negative on offensive bpm every year, and basically neutral on defense which kinda tracks with the eye test and the raw numbers.

He’s super young and has upside, but he’s very meh right now.

[HotelVitale]

Solid contract but this is a pretty random and shoddy way of creating context. The cap spike year produced insane contracts and people were always surprised by Ryan Anderson's deal, no reason to take two super unusual things to explain the norm.

This is the same type of deal that tons of players have now. Jaden McDaniels, DeAndre Hunter, Malik Monk, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Lu Dort, etc. It's not like meh rotation guy money, it's a hefty amount that teams shell out to guys they're pretty sure will be key starters. This contract is probably going to look like a failure if Smith doens't get to that level.

Also looking at 2016, no reason to talk about Ryan Anderson when that $11-12m is what like Iggy, Horford, Kemba, Jrue, Curry, etc made at the time. The cap jump started to kick those up, but this isn't a wild cap jump year this year so really not point at all bringing that up.


It's definitely good starter money. It'd be about a top-100 contract, spread across 30 teams. Basically everyone making like $18-22m now (what Smith's contract would be translated to 2026-28) is a very good starter or was expected to be.

I am kind of surprised how much people like this deal. They basically hate every contract on this board, but $125 mill for a guy who isn’t very good and hasn’t really changed from year 1 to 3 is kind of wild. He’s getting paid because he was a high pick, and they still have high hopes, but he needs to improve a lot to justify this deal and any kind of role increase.

I think people have come to accept the new economic reality and are either A) getting over the sticker shock, or B) overcompensating and pricing in too much sticker shock.

I’m assuming A) and that this is pretty normal, decent starter money now. If he develops and fulfills more of his potential, it can become a value deal. Maybe I’m wrong and it’s actually B) though.

I think you're right about B) here, at least some people don't have a great handle on what's a lot in today's cap #s so there's a tendency to look at stuff like this and be like 'well it's not $50m a season so it sounds pretty solid!'

But for A) I want to repeat that 12-15% of cap usually means like very good/solid starter money. This contract is about half of a max, and those players are generally expected to be not all-stars but still the 3rd-4th best players on a good team. I generally think it's dumb to judge any contract outside of context and situation, and that saying 'X player is the 50th best palyer so should get exactly the 50th highest contract' isn't really useful or fair to judge GMs on--but it does seem pretty clear that teams would regret spending half a max on just some okay 5th starters. It seems like that type of money is sometimes overpaying a 5th starter type to steal him away in FA (e.g. KCP's deal with ORL), or sometimes it's reaching some for a post-rookie guy based on potential (e.g. Deandre Hunter). But generally it's for guys you know are going to be reliably good.

So this deal doesn't seem wild or anything, and many guys who've been about where Smith Jr is at have gotten something in this range before. But it does seem like Smith Jr would have to live up to it rather than him already being good enough for it to be a steal etc.

[HotelVitale]

I am kind of surprised how much people like this deal. They basically hate every contract on this board, but $125 mill for a guy who isn’t very good and hasn’t really changed from year 1 to 3 is kind of wild. He’s getting paid because he was a high pick, and they still have high hopes, but he needs to improve a lot to justify this deal and any kind of role increase.

Think Realgm tends to be kinder to high picks signing extensions, at least those who haven't been trashed relentlessly for flaws (like e.g. Jalen Green). If you seem like you're doing just okay but you were a top-5 pick, folks tend to think pretty well of you. More benefit of doubt and thinking about what a guy CAN do, and not to doing the 'wait is this guy just sort of NBA okay/meh?' thing just yet. Favorable views of extensions for guys like Coby White, D Hunter, Suggs, Sexton, etc.

Partially probably cuz most of us don't really know that much about most of those guys by year 3 or 3.5. Partially that draft hype and upside-dreaming is fun and lingers a while.

[shotsquatch]

Are we forgetting he is barely 22? I think $24 million for a 22 year old big with his skillset is a steal.