Sources: Eason, Rockets agree to 5-years, $81.5M
Key takeaways
- Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday.
- The Rockets selected Eason in 2022 with the 17th pick in the draft, and the 25-year-old played a career-high 25 minutes per game last season, which included 60 games and 34 starts.
- That likely played a role in the failed negotiations between the sides going into last season.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Thursday.
The Rockets selected Eason in 2022 with the 17th pick in the draft, and the 25-year-old played a career-high 25 minutes per game last season, which included 60 games and 34 starts. He averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals. One of Houston's top wing defenders, Eason has bounced back over the past two seasons after missing significant time during his second year in the NBA due to a lower left leg injury that raised questions about his durability.
That likely played a role in the failed negotiations between the sides going into last season. Houston made a significant offer during the negotiations, sources said, but Eason's side wanted more guaranteed money in the deal.