Rockets’ Tari Eason bargain sets up massive Amen Thompson contract test

The Houston Rockets continue to lock in their young core on team-friendly deals. Tari Eason is going to be a Houston Rocket for the foreseeable future after agreeing to a five-year, $81.5 million contract in restricted free agency. This was a great signing by Rafael Stone, but his biggest contract negotiation test is still coming with rising star Amen Thompson.

Houston has signed its draft picks to team-friendly deals

Eason joins Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. as recent draft picks to sign long-term deals with the team. Two seasons ago, Sengun signed an extremely team-friendly five-year, $185 million extension, which was significantly below the maximum rookie-scale extension commonly given to young, up-and-coming All-Star-level players.

Jabari Smith Jr. also signed a five-year, $122 million extension last offseason. That is another team-friendly deal for a player who is integral to the Rockets’ success.

Eason, like Smith Jr., is not a projected star in the same way Sengun or Amen Thompson might be, but he still plays a critical role on this team. He is still developing his jump shot, but he has shown flashes of becoming a true three-and-D player.

The defense is already there. His energy on that end of the floor is infectious, and it helps him fit seamlessly into Ime Udoka’s defense-first approach.

Amen Thompson is next in line for a contract extension

With Sengun, Smith Jr. and Eason all locked into long-term contracts, the next player to keep an eye on is Thompson. The 2023 fourth overall pick has one year left on his rookie contract and is extension eligible this offseason.

Thompson has the highest ceiling of any member of this young core. He could push for max or near-max money in extension talks, but if the Sengun, Smith Jr. and Eason deals have taught us anything, it is that this front office is going to be firm in the price it is willing to offer.

There is a good reason for that approach. The NBA’s new CBA severely restricts teams that spend lavishly. Saving money on these contracts will allow Houston to fill out the roster with impact veterans instead of becoming trapped by its own payroll.

Depending on Thompson’s development, the Rockets may have no choice but to offer him a max-level rookie-scale extension. However, if this front office can make another savvy move by signing Thompson to a team-friendly deal, it could significantly help this team build a championship roster around its young core.

Rafael Stone has received plenty of criticism for his quiet approach to the offseason, but signing Eason to this contract is a home run transaction. Rockets fans will now have to see if he handles Thompson’s contract negotiations with the same discipline.

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