Rockets, Tari Eason Miss Rookie-Scale Extension Deadline; 11 More 2022 Picks Set for 2026 RFA
SLUG: rockets-tari-eason-no-rookie-scale-extension-2026-rfa
The Houston Rockets and forward Tari Eason did not finalize a rookie-scale extension before Monday’s 5:00 p.m. CT cutoff on Oct. 20, 2025, leaving the 23-year-old on track for restricted free agency in the summer of 2026.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the impasse, noting that the two sides could not align on contract length, salary, or the structure of a potential deal. League sources told Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko the gap in valuation had persisted for weeks despite a late push from Houston, which secured a separate extension with Kevin Durant over the weekend.
Top Extension Candidates Diverge
Eason entered the day viewed alongside Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets) and Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) as leading candidates to strike new agreements. Braun and Daniels each landed extensions reportedly worth about $25 million annually, while Eason and the Rockets could not reach common ground.
Full List of 2022 Draftees Without Extensions
Twelve members of the 2022 draft class ultimately did not sign before the deadline and are now positioned for restricted free agency in 2026. Their projected qualifying offers are shown in parentheses:
Jaden Ivey, Pistons ($13,402,098)
Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers ($12,256,222)
Jeremy Sochan, Spurs ($9,615,393)
Ousmane Dieng, Thunder ($9,132,437)
Jalen Duren, Pistons ($8,966,188)
Ochai Agbaji, Raptors ($8,879,483)
Mark Williams, Suns ($8,774,590)
Tari Eason, Rockets ($8,014,182)
Dalen Terry, Bulls ($7,661,348)
Malaki Branham, Wizards ($7,110,593)
Walker Kessler, Jazz ($7,064,702)
Peyton Watson, Nuggets ($6,534,714)
Those qualifying offers can shift depending on whether a player meets next season’s starter criteria. A top-14 pick who falls short would receive a QO of $8,774,590, while selections 10-30 who meet the criteria would see their QO rise to $9,615,393.
Teams that issue qualifying offers retain the right to match any offer sheet. Players who do not receive a QO next June would become unrestricted free agents.
Nine Extensions Completed
Nine other 2022 draftees secured rookie-scale extensions this month: Paolo Banchero (Magic), Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams (Thunder), Keegan Murray (Kings), Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers), Nikola Jovic (Heat), along with Braun and Daniels.
Eason, selected 17th overall in 2022, has averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds over his first two NBA seasons. He will now play out the final year of his rookie contract before the 2026 offseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
