HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 20: Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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Monday evening was the deadline for the Rockets and forward Tari Eason to sign an extension to his rookie-scale contract. The deadline passed with the two parties unable to reach an agreement. Following news from over the weekend of the Rockets’ successful two-year $90 million extension agreement with superstar forward Kevin Durant, there was much optimism heading into Monday that the Rockets would similarly come to terms with Eason. Durant had left money on the table to facilitate the Rockets’ attempt to retain its young core. Houston inked forward Jabari Smith Jr. to a lucrative five-year extension earlier this summer.
Eason will now play the last season of his rookie contract before entering restricted free agency next summer. The Rockets will have the ability to match any offer Eason receives from another team, providing them with some degree of protection over losing Eason for nothing. Both sides are incurring risk. Eason, that his health holds up, and that he is able to command a more favorable contract on the open market; the Rockets, that Eason does not attract a more attractive offer elsewhere.
Rising star Amen Thompson will be eligible for his own extension and it is believed he could command the maximum amount. The Rockets do gain some flexibility in their hopes of securing Thompson long-term by avoiding an overpay of Eason, though the belief was that there would be sufficient room under the luxury tax aprons to keep the entirety of the Rockets’ young core after the Durant discount.
Over his career, Eason has averaged 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game over 161 regular season appearances. But health has been a major factor. After playing all 82 games during his rookie season, Eason played in just 22 games in 2023-2024 due to a stress reaction in his lower left leg, and then just 57 last season. His health concerns no doubt factored into the contract negotiations.
Eason is expected to be one of the first substitutes off the bench this season for Ime Udoka’s Rockets. Following the injury to starting point guard Fred VanVleet, he could also garner the occasional starting role.
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