Tari Eason’s Struggles Continue
· Yahoo Sports
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder guards Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Paycom Center on October 21, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesWhen Rockets forward Tari Eason turned down an extension offer from the Rockets last summer, for an amount reported at around $100 million, he was betting big on himself. Per reports, the contract was laden with incentives; to that point in his career, Eason had not shown an ability to stay healthy.
Visit h-doctor.club for more information.
Eason burst out of the gates this year, emerging as one of the best shooters in the league. At the All-Star break, he was shooting a scorching 46% from long distance. Things have fallen off a cliff since. After the All-Star break, Eason is now shooting 15% from long range. In February, Eason shot 31.6% from long distance. In March, he’s shooting an abysmal .088%. Eason was inserted into the Rockets’ starting lineup on Christmas Day. Finally, last week, head coach Ime Udoka removed him, opting to go with sophomore guard Reed Sheppard in a more traditional lineup.
The big concern with Eason was his health. The fourth year forward had missed major amounts of time due to lower leg injuries. To his credit, he has been able to stay healthy this season, appearing now in twenty consecutive games dating back to February 7. Eason has appeared in 48 games thus far for the Rockets this season.
The Rockets will have the right to match any contract offer Eason receives this summer, under the rules of the league’s collective bargaining agreement. But if Sheppard remains entrenched as the team’s starter at point guard, Eason would appear to be the odd man out. Center Alperen Sengun and forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Kevin Durant have already been signed to lucrative long-term extensions and per reports, the team has been preparing to make an offer to keep forward Amen Thompson long term after this summer [when he becomes eligible for his own extension]. Where does that leave Eason?
On the other hand, given that his percentages have taken the nosedive that they have, perhaps Eason can be retained at a figure even lower than what Houston had originally offered last summer? A sign and trade could be another option.
That’s all in the future. Right now, both Eason and the Rockets just hope he can get back on track with his shooting as the team heads towards the playoffs.