After a second straight disappointing playoff exit, the Houston Rockets could have changes on the horizon during the NBA’s 2026 offseason.
But it appears that any changes are unlikely to include Tari Eason, who is set to enter restricted free agency following his fourth NBA season.
Kelly Iko of Yahoo! Sports writes:
Eason will be a restricted free agent this offseason, but Houston plans to re-engage in conversations around a long-term deal following the conclusion of the Finals, team sources said, in hopes of striking an agreement ahead of July 1.
In the event that both parties fail to reach a common middle ground — there’s an understanding the 24-year-old could change management ahead of a pivotal summer — and Eason signs an offer sheet elsewhere, Houston, which still values his two-way contributions, would be expected to match.
After Friday’s season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Eason admitted to thinking about his contractual status.
“It’s tough to say I didn’t think about it,” Eason told reporters. “You definitely think about it. I was drafted here. I’ve grown up here. My family is here. I love Houston. As far as everything else, God knows.”
The Rockets and Eason tried and failed to reach an extension agreement ahead of the 2026 season. However, both sides knew that re-engaging after the season was always possible, and the restricted status gives the team at least some level of control.
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.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: As restricted free agency looms, Rockets expected to retain Tari Eason
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
