Recent Rockets acquisition has all the faith in the world in Tari Eason

Houston Rockets fans know Tari Eason is one of the best reserves in the NBA. His new teammate Josh Okogie thinks he could win Sixth Man of the Year in 2025-26.

"I'm starting a petition for Tari (to win) Sixth Man of the Year."

- Josh Okogie

Why not? It's a role Eason is familiar with. He won the SEC Sixth Man of the Year award during his sophomore college season at LSU. Eason was comfortably the best player on that team, and he came off the bench anyway.

It's a role that complements his skillset.

Rockets' Tari Eason provides endless energy

Picture it. You're an NBA player (congratulations) and you're guarding Jabari Smith Jr.

It's not easy. At 6'11", Smith Jr. is a tough cover. He's hitting open jumpers, but you're struggling to close out. Still, you're not getting dominated. You've managed to contain Smith Jr. to an acceptable extent.

He checks out, and Tari Eason checks in.

Now, you're guarding one of the highest energy, most physical wings in the National Basketball Association. As soon as you get the ball, Eason is hounding you. One errant pass and you're turning the ball over. You're on defense, but somehow, Eason is always boxing you out when a shot goes up.

You were already tired when he checked in. Now, you're reconsidering your career choices.

That's the Tari Eason experience. It's a unique skill set that makes him arguably more dangerous off the bench than in the starting lineup.

Does that mean he should be coming off the bench?

Rockets' Tari Eason is a starting-caliber player

Let's be clear: Eason is starting caliber.

In 2024-25, he averaged 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per 75 possessions with a 3.6 Box Plus/Minus (BPM). Those are the statistics of a player who should be starting in the NBA.

There's also the complicated matter of Eason's upcoming contract negotiations. There have been indications that he's bothered by his uncertain status. This is a valuable young player that the Rockets may want to placate where they can.

That said, Eason would not be the first starting-caliber player to come off the bench because it made sense. The Rockets are one of the deepest teams in the NBA. If he comes off the bench, that isn't a slight.

Plus, Okogie is on to something. Winning a Sixth Man of the Year award would be a feather in Eason's cap. It would also be a boon to his financial pursuits should he hit Restricted Free Agency (RFA) next summer.

Rockets fans should be lining up to sign Okogie's petition (unless they want Eason at a discount).