With AJ Hinch returning, 2 polarizing questions bubble to the surface
QUICK HITS
12 April 2021
QUICK HITS
With the Houston Astros former manager A.J. Hinch returning to Houston for the first time since he was dismissed for his part in the 2017 sign-stealing scandal, we discuss Hinch's Houston legacy and how fans will remember him. Plus, what was Hinch's biggest misstep while with the Astros, not putting an end to the sign-stealing in 2017, or pulling Zack Greinke in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series?
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Power forward Jabari Smith Jr. is expected to sign a five-year, $122 million rookie contract extension with Houston, according to a report from ESPN.
JABARI SMITH JR. GOT PAID 💰
(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/g28YXK1i8t
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 30, 2025
The deal is reportedly fully guaranteed and would keep Smith in a Rockets uniform through the 2030–31 season.
Smith, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged 12.2 points and seven rebounds last season, starting 39 of the 57 games he played. While injuries and inconsistency limited his minutes at times, the 21-year-old showed flashes of the two-way potential that made him a top lottery pick, and someone the Rockets clearly see as part of their long-term foundation.
The move signals continued trust in the franchise’s young core and a commitment to internal development as Houston builds toward sustained playoff contention.
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