Rockets and Tari Eason Miss Rookie-Scale Extension Deadline
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The Houston Rockets and forward Tari Eason failed to agree on a rookie-scale extension before Monday’s 6 p.m. EST deadline, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Eason, 24, was considered one of the likeliest candidates to sign an extension, especially after Houston reached a reported two-year, $90 million deal with Kevin Durant over the weekend. Nonetheless, Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko said the two parties remained far apart on valuation, with the impasse involving both salary figures and contract length despite a late push from the Rockets.
Without a new agreement, Eason will remain on his rookie contract and enter restricted free agency in 2026, when Houston will retain matching rights. His qualifying offer is projected at $8 million, a figure that could change based on next season’s starter criteria.
One of 12 Players Without Deals
Eason is among 12 members of the 2022 draft class who did not secure extensions before the cutoff. Projected qualifying offers, per HoopsRumors, are listed below:
- Jaden Ivey, Pistons — $13.4 million
- Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers — $12.3 million
- Jeremy Sochan, Spurs — $9.6 million
- Ousmane Dieng, Thunder — $9.1 million
- Jalen Duren, Pistons — $9.0 million
- Ochai Agbaji, Raptors — $8.9 million
- Mark Williams, Suns — $8.8 million
- Tari Eason, Rockets — $8.0 million
- Dalen Terry, Bulls — $7.7 million
- Malaki Branham, Wizards — $7.1 million
- Walker Kessler, Jazz — $7.1 million
- Peyton Watson, Nuggets — $6.5 million
Nine players from the same draft class did finalize extensions: Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Keegan Murray, Jabari Smith Jr., Shaedon Sharpe, Nikola Jovic, Christian Braun and Dyson Daniels.
Eason averaged 12.0 points and 6.3 rebounds last season and has become one of Houston’s most disruptive defenders.
Source: Hoops Wire
