The Rockets weren’t able to agree to an extension with Tari Eason last summer, but they’re likely hoping for a different outcome this offseason.
While Eason once again missed extended time due to injury this season, he was a reliable contributor when healthy. The 25-year-old averaged over 10 points per game for the second straight season with 10.5, adding 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on defense across 60 games.
It’s unclear exactly what type of market Eason will have this summer, but Houston will likely face stiff competition for his services while being mindful of its cap situation.
Where Eason ranks as a free agent
In a recent article by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, Eason was ranked as the 13th-best potential free agent available. He was one spot ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers’ Bennedict Mathurin and one spot behind the Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson, both restricted free agents like Eason.
Pincus wrote that the Rockets could “face apron restrictions” by locking up the 6’8 forward to a long-term deal, but acknowledged Houston would be losing “youth, depth, and a tough wing who is shooting 46 percent from three-point range on nearly five attempts” if they let him walk in free agency.
Eason started the season hot from deep but dropped off throughout the season, hitting his low point during a 16-game stretch in March, where he made just 14.5% of his three-point attempts. In the playoffs, his struggles continued in Houston’s first-round matchup outside of a Game 1 performance where he shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.
He made just 41% of his field goal attempts and 28.6% of his three-pointers the rest of the series, struggling in the starting lineup in place of the injured Kevin Durant.
While the Rockets are familiar with Eason’s limitations at this point in his career, he’s still a key piece for Houston, and it’d be a worthy gamble to sign him to a long-term deal. Pincus described Eason as a “vital part of coach Ime Udoka’s rotation,” and losing him in restricted free agency would leave a sizeable hole to fill for the Rockets.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Tari Eason ranked as 13th-best potential free agent ahead of offseason
Reporting by Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
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By Rockets Wire | USA TODAY Network
