122 million in 5 years! The Rockets re-signed full-score operations. Congratulations to Durant, the pressure to defend the Thunder is coming

Since the Warriors defended their title in the 17-18 season, no championship has been defended in the past seven seasons.

Season 25-26, can the Thunder defend their title?

Explanation point: Player composition. In the regular season, Caruso averaged 7.1 points per game in the Thunder. In comparison, the Lakers' ninth man is Goodwin averaged 5.6 points per game; the Pacers' ninth man is Tony Bradley's 4.4 points.

In other words, the Thunder's lineup is very thick. From another perspective, as long as all players remain healthy in the new season, the probability of defending the title is still very high.

In terms of external factors, from the successive trading of the Celtics in Holiday and Porzingis, they are definitely not the first in the championship in the new season. To be honest, if Tatum didn't hurt, I think the full-body Celtics would be the biggest obstacle on the Thunder's road to defending their title.

In addition, the Rockets traded from the Suns to Durant at a relatively low price.

What can Durant bring to the Rockets?

The very important point is the ability to solve the problem at critical moments - the 24-25 regular season scored 100 points with the ninth most in the league at critical moments and 47.7% shooting rate. In short, Durant completed the task with quality and quantity at a critical moment.

In addition to this, singles ability outside the independent system that the Warriors have proven. Potentially, this can enrich the Rockets' offensive tactics.

At the same time, according to the NBA China official website, the Rockets and Jabbarri Smith Jr. reached a five-year, 122 million contract renewal.

5 years of 122 million, I think the Rockets have conducted another full-scoring operation.

Reason 1: Progressiveness. Smith averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks per game, 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocks in the 22-23 season, and 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.7 blocks in the 24-25 season. Admittedly, there is no progress in basic data, but the key point:

Explanation point 1: offense. His real shooting rate was 56.2% per game in the regular season, which was a career high.

Explanation point 2: Defense. The regular season averaged 10.9 times interfered with the opponent's blocking rate under the ball by 3.0%, which is a career high.

It can be seen that Smith is showing a good progress trend in both the end of the inside line and the protection of the basket. From another perspective, the basic data does not prompt more to give Wudu Card no match chance.

Reason 2: Comparison. 122 million yuan in five years, and the average salary is 24 million yuan. The Cavaliers' Jaart Allen averaged 12.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in his career, and also had a four-year average salary of 28 million yuan.

In other words, even if Jabbarry Smith Jr. eventually grew into a top inside blue-collar worker like Allen, the Rockets would not lose. To put it bluntly, Smith is lower than Allen's salary in terms of contract amount and average salary.

To sum up the above two points, "full score operation" can be understood as Smith showing good progressive attributes, and there is a gap in salary for elite players at the same position in the external comparison. To sum it up in one sentence: Jabbarry Smith Jr.'s contract renewal is very cost-effective.

Based on this, congratulations to Durant on the pressure to defend the title. After all, the Rockets have completed a significant reinforcement, and the number of years involved is more than one year.

Finally, let's wait and see whether the Thunder can defend the title in the new season.