What No Extension for Tari Eason Means for the Houston Rockets

On Sunday, the Houston Rockets agreed to a new extension with superstar Kevin Durant, inking the longtime sharpshooter with the team through 2026-27.

Monday’s news wasn’t quite so positive.

Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Rockets and forward Tari Eason could’t agree to a contract extensions before Monday’s deadline. “Sides could not bridge gaps on multiple fronts,” Charania said in his tweet.

No rookie extension for the Houston Rockets and Tari Eason, sources tell ESPN. Sides could not bridge gaps on multiple fronts by Monday's deadline. Eason will become a restricted free agent next offseason.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 20, 2025

With that being the case, Eason will now enter restricted free agency next summer.

It wasn’t ideal news for either side, as the Rockets surely wanted to ink one half of their “Terror Twins” duo to a long-term contract, and Eason himself would’ve like the guaranteed money as well. Now, the incoming fourth-year forward has a contract year ahead, and Houston could end up losing out on him if they’re outbid next offseason.

But what will it actually mean for the Houston Rockets?

In the short-term, nothing much. Houston still moves into next season as one of the top teams in the NBA, with an improved offense and bevy of talented defenders. In the long-term, it puts an air of uneasiness around the union, though the two could eventually still end up together down the road. Kevin Durant agreed to a deal less than the max on Sunday, meaning Houston has a little financial flexibility to work with in terms of team-building.

Eason’s been an obviously impactful player for Houston in his trio of years, emerging as one of the top defensive options, but adding an offensive flare in his third season. Drafted as the No. 17 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, he scored 12.0 points per game last season, doing so on 49% shooting with 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 steals and nearly a block to boot.

Contract year Tari Eason… You better know he’ll be playing with an extra chip on his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/qsg25m2dbY
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 20, 2025

His loss would unquestionably be a big one for the Rockets, as he and rising star Amen Thompson have become a fearsome defensive duo on the perimeter.

Luckily, head decision-maker Rafael Stone and the Houston front office have made few missteps so far in the last handful of seasons. They’ve properly built the Rockets into contenders, using a combination of draft picks, signing and trades to do so. If they denied some of Eason's contract askings, there's a good chance it wasn't reasonable for the franchise to move forward with.

The Rockets will open up their 2025-26 campaign in a ring night matchup against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The two teams will tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT from Oklahoma City.