One of the Rockets' most valuable strengths is nearing its expiration date

Few teams have built a roster that's better equipped to handle the modern NBA's need for depth and quality at forward than the Houston Rockets. Houston can roll out any number of players at the 3 and 4 spots, with All-Defensive First Team honoree Amen Thompson operating as the headlining act.

Unfortunately, the greatest strength that the Rockets' defense possesses may only be one season away from its potential expiration date.

Houston's depth at forward is second to none. Dillon Brooks and Thompson have typically been pencilled in as starters, with the trio of Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Cam Whitmore providing exceptional relief at both the 3 and 4 spots.

Unfortunately, the time is fast approaching for Houston to commit to larger roles and significantly bigger contracts for all three players.

Eason and Smith will enter restricted free agency in 2026, and both Thompson and Whitmore will do the same in 2027. All four players have the talent to justify larger deals, with Thompson well on his way to warranting a rookie max extension, but there's only so much money to go around—much as minutes can only be unevenly distributed for so long before career ambitions become a priority.

The question is: Who exactly should head coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone prioritize in 2025-26 to prepare for the potential loss of at least one key player to the trade market or free agency?

Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Cam Whitmore: 2026 or 2027 free agents

The immediate decision looming large in Houston is a potential choice between Eason and Smith. Eason, 24, is coming off of an excellent 2024-25 campaign during which his averages translated to 17.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 offensive boards, 2.1 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.

Smith, 22, posted marks that translated to 14.6 points, 8,4 rebounds, 2.2 offensive boards, 1.3 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per 36.

Whitmore, meanwhile, is a 20-year-old pure scorer who can put up points with the best of players around his age. Through two seasons, he's accumulated averages of 10.8 points per game and 22.3 points per 36 minutes while posting a cumulative slash line of .449/.357/.707.

Despite their statistical intrigue, as well as the manner in which their skills have been applied to winning, Smith averaged 30.1 minutes, Eason checked in at 24.9, and Whitmore received just 16.2 in 2024-25.

All three players are young and several seasons away from their respective primes, but the time is coming for Houston to have to make a decision about whose development is a true priority. Restricted free agency is looming for all three, and potential trades could claim whomever the franchise deems as less essential to the long-term vision.

In a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, for instance, it stands to reason that either Jalen Green or Houston's rumored preference of Alperen Sengun would be paired with at least one of Eason, Smith, or Whitmore, as well as additional compensation, as part of an outgoing offer.

Whether or not the Antetokounmpo trade, or any other deal for that matter, comes to pass, Houston has a decision on its hands. Eason and Smith are remarkably promising, but re-signing both could prove costly if they sustainably perform at their current level—let alone if they continue to improve. Bringing Whitmore back a year later won't be any easier, especially with Green playing big minutes.

Considering the minutes distribution is unlikely to get any easier to manage, the Rockets need to figure out which of their forwards is a true priority moving forward to avoid conflict both on and off the court.