As restricted free agency looms, Rockets expected to retain Tari Eason

At the time, Eason had been viewed as something of an injury risk after missing significant time in his second and third NBA seasons due to a recurring issue with his lower left leg.

However, Eason didn’t seem to have many issues with that leg this season, and the 6-foot-8 forward was able to play in 66 games (combining both the regular season and playoffs). That could potentially ease some of those previous concerns.

In a career-high 25.8 minutes per game, Eason averaged 10.5 points (35.8% on 3-pointers), 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in the 2025-26 regular season. He remains one of Houston’s most valued and versatile defenders, as well.

The 24-year-old did shoot a career-low 46.3% on two-point shots.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the final offer in preseason negotiations between the Rockets and Eason was for more than $100 million in total money over several seasons, but not all of it was guaranteed. Presumably, the team was attempting to protect itself, at least to an extent, from Eason’s unique risk factors (starting with injuries).

So, in the 2026 offseason, it appears both sides are ready to go back to the table. The exclusive negotiating window between the Rockets and Eason will open after the 2026 NBA Finals end in mid-to-late June — and if that doesn’t work out, free agency negotiations involving all teams can begin on June 30.

Houston will be able to match any offer Eason receives from another team and still retain his services, which might limit his market leverage.

Eason did have a strong showing in Houston’s recently completed playoff series, as shown in the fact that the Rockets were 15.7 points better in net rating when Eason played. That on-off differential was second among rotation players, trailing only Amen Thompson.

That could perhaps incentivize the team to get a deal done, sooner rather than later. Eason’s success in the 2026 playoffs came in direct contrast to Houston’s 2025 first-round series versus the Golden State Warriors, when his -15.1 differential was worst among rotation players.

More: ESPN details potential sticking point in contract talks between Rockets, Tari Eason

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: As restricted free agency looms, Rockets expected to retain Tari Eason