The Houston Rockets are aiming to capture their first NBA title since 1995 after trading for Kevin Durant, though they still have some loose ends to tie up ahead of the regular season.
Tari Eason, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is entering his fourth season and is due for a contract extension, with the deadline to reach an agreement coming Oct. 20. The 24-year-old forward has emerged as a strong defender and has the potential to become an elite 3-and-D player.
Eason is coming off the best season of his young career, averaging 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks per game in 57 regular-season outings. He shot a career-high 48.7 percent from the field, though his three-point shooting will be an important step in his development, as he made a career-low 34.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc last season.
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Tari Eason projected to land $110 million extension
While the Rockets have Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. in the frontcourt, Eason is another strong option who figures to be a key part of Houston’s sustained success. With the extension deadline looming, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey predicted a five-year deal worth about $110 million for the LSU product.
“Part of a focus on the future could include a commitment to Tari Eason, who’s already established himself as one of the best forward defenders in the NBA,” Bailey wrote.
While Eason has taken steps toward becoming an integral part of the Rockets’ rotation, durability has been an issue. He has appeared in just 79 regular-season games over the past two seasons due largely to a left lower leg injury.
He played only 22 games in the 2023-24 season before eventually undergoing surgery in March 2024 to treat a benign growth in his lower leg. However, Eason appears fully healthy ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The Rockets need point guard depth with Fred VanVleet suffering a torn ACL in late September, and Eason would be a likely trade candidate given his upside. Additionally, the club is looking to extend Durant, whose contract expires after this season. While Eason has become a fan favorite in Houston, an extension certainly isn’t a guarantee at this point.
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