As the Houston Rockets continue their climb in the Western Conference standings, there's a key piece still waiting in the wings-Tari Eason. The high-energy forward has been sidelined since mid-November with an oblique strain, but his return is just around the corner. And while his presence will undoubtedly boost Houston’s depth and defensive versatility, it also adds an intriguing wrinkle to the team’s long-term roster calculus.
Eason isn’t just another rotational piece. He’s the kind of player who changes the rhythm of a game the moment he checks in.
Whether it’s flying around on defense, crashing the glass, or knocking down threes, he brings a spark that few bench players can match. And if his early-season form is any indication, he’s not just coming back to contribute-he’s coming back to make a statement.
In just 11 games before the injury, Eason was averaging 11.5 points, 5.2 boards, and 1.6 assists per night, while shooting a blistering 49.5% from deep. That kind of efficiency, especially from a player known more for his defense and hustle, is the type of development that front offices take notice of-especially with restricted free agency looming.
And that’s where things get complicated for Houston.
The Rockets chose not to extend Eason before the season, instead prioritizing a multi-year commitment to Kevin Durant. With Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. already locked in, and Amen Thompson likely next in line, Eason’s contract situation has become the elephant in the room. If he picks up where he left off, he could very well play himself into a major payday-potentially in the $30 million per year range, given how the market has trended for young two-way wings.
The Rockets will be walking a financial tightrope next summer. With only $25 million in space before hitting the first tax apron, they’ll have to get creative if Eason starts drawing attention from cap-rich teams looking to poach emerging talent. And make no mistake: if he keeps up that level of production, offer sheets will come.
That’s not to say Houston won’t do everything in their power to keep him. Eason fits the identity this team is building-tough, versatile, and unselfish.
He’s beloved in the locker room and by the fan base, and he brings a dimension that’s hard to replicate. But the business side of the NBA doesn’t wait for sentimentality.
If Eason returns and continues to shine, the Rockets will find themselves in a high-stakes negotiation sooner than they may have planned.
He didn’t suit up Monday night against the Nuggets, but all signs point to his return being imminent. When he does step back on the floor, it won’t just be about helping the Rockets win games-it’ll be about setting the stage for what could be one of the more intriguing contract storylines of the 2025 offseason.
For now, all Houston can do is hope he picks up right where he left off. And maybe, just maybe, they can find a way to keep one of their most dynamic young players in the fold-before someone else makes them pay for waiting.