Jabari Smith Jr. Rockets contract extension was finalized as the promising forward signed a five-year, $122 million deal with all seasons fully guaranteed. The deal arrives as the Houston Rockets undergo a dramatic transformation, building a core capable of contending for a championship in the coming NBA season. The team‘s remarkable turnaround from a rebuilding period to a legitimate playoff force is being largely credited to the arrival of Ime Udoka, who replaced Stephen Silas as head coach.
Jabari Smith Jr. Opens Up About Coaching Transitions
On a recent episode of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s podcast, Jabari Smith Jr. spoke candidly about the drastic shift he experienced after Udoka’s hiring, contrasting it with his formative NBA experience under Silas.
“Anybody who knows Ime knows that Ime’s got some missing screws. You know what I’m saying? I don’t know how to put this, but he’s going to coach you hard. You know what I’m saying? As you see, like he has made the team play hard. Like everybody knows that we’re gonna play hard, and that’s just who he is.”
—Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward
“And he’s good to talk to, just a players’ coach, honestly. You could talk to him, obviously somebody who played in the league, he can relate to his players. So I mean, he helped me a lot. He obviously helped the team, helped the organization a lot. So I mean things are looking up, man.”
—Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward
Impact of Roster and Leadership Overhaul
The reshaping of the Rockets’ culture extended beyond the coaching staff. Veteran leadership shifted from players such as John Wall and Eric Gordon to Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. However, the coaching change from Silas to Udoka was widely seen as the main catalyst for the team‘s renewed direction. Smith Jr. reflected on his experience under Silas and how Udoka brought necessary structure and intensity to the roster.
“Silas was our first coach. He was a good coach. But like I said, man, that couldn’t nobody control that. It was just a wreck. You know what I’m saying? It was like, and if anybody knows Coach Silas, like he’s the nicest dude in the world, you know what I’m saying? Like he knows basketball. He knows what he’s talking about. It’s just like, as far as controlling that, it was tough for him. But Ime came in and put some— Ime, Fred, and Dillon came in and put some control on.”
—Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets Forward
Team Results Under Ime Udoka’s Guidance
Under Udoka’s leadership, Houston made a significant leap, finishing the 2023-24 season with 41 wins—an improvement from only 22 victories the previous season. By the 2024-25 campaign, the Rockets finished second in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record, trailing only the NBA champion OKC Thunder.
This off-season, the Rockets strengthened further, bringing in Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, boosting their status as likely championship frontrunners in the West. Other mentioned stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown remain rumored trade targets, keeping the team in major trade sweepstakes even after landing Durant.
Smith Jr.’s Rising Performance and the Next Step
The change in coaching and team structure translated into improved on-court numbers for Jabari Smith Jr. During his rookie season under Stephen Silas in 2022-23, he averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 40.8% overall and 30.7% from three. In 2023-24, Smith saw a jump to a career-high 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, along with upgraded shooting percentages—45.4% from the field and 36.3% beyond the arc.
Although injury setbacks limited him in 2024-25, resulting in averages of 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, Smith Jr.’s defensive presence and increased efficiency marked him as an ideal protégé for new teammate Kevin Durant. His ability to make clutch shots and play both ends has made a case for whether he could make an All-Star leap in the upcoming season.
Looking Ahead for Houston and Its Young Star
The Rockets’ resurgence signals a new era for the organization, with Jabari Smith Jr. as a centerpiece following his substantial contract extension. As Houston builds around stars like Durant, VanVleet, and Brooks, and keeps its eyes on future high-profile targets, expectations are soaring. With Udoka’s intense coaching style and Smith’s growth, the franchise’s gamble on youth and culture shift may turn them into long-term serious contenders in the Western Conference.