Tari Eason holds overlooked key to Rockets offseason

Today’s best NBA teams are built around maximizing talent on cheap contracts, and the Rockets should be no different. Their next step in pursuit of this principle will be Tari Eason’s upcoming free agency, which can have a huge impact on the team’s cap space.

 If the Rockets are able to get Eason back on a reasonable deal, they should still have space to make other improvements and progress towards building a title contender. But if not, the Rockets could be in for a very rude awakening as soon as next season.

The Rockets must decide how much they value Eason

 Eason will be entering restricted free agency after spending the last 4 seasons under contract in Houston. For the last two seasons, he’s been on a team option. Eason has clearly been underpaid on his first contract, as he didn’t clear $4 million until this season - when he still only made $5.7 million.

He’s got his flaws on offense, but Eason’s defensive value alone should fetch him a contract well over his recent salary. Since he’s a restricted free agent, the Rockets will have the chance to match any deal that he gets. But doing so on a big offer could take them out of the market for some bigger stars.

Other teams might value Eason’s talents more than the Rockets if they need a strong defender and can mask his offensive weaknesses. The Rockets have a team full of the same archetype, so his weaknesses compound with his Houston teammates. However, he might look better on a team like the Lakers that needs more defense and has the offensive creators to get him even better looks.

Eason will get some interest in free agency

Considering his age and defensive production, Eason will get some calls and possibly a contract offer from another team. It's also possible the Rockets will try to lock him up early before hitting the open market. Last year, they chose that route with Jabari Smith Jr and inked him to a 5 year extension worth $122 million.

But the Rockets clearly value Eason less than Smith. There’s a reason Smith has been a solidified starter for years while Eason got just 34 starts this season. If Eason hopes to make the same money as Smith, he may have to search elsewhere for his next offer. Without pressure from another team, the Rockets are unlikely to offer up that money on their own.

Ultimately, Tari Eason will be a key domino for the Rockets that needs to fall before their other offseason moves can kick off at full force. The earlier they reach a resolution to his free agency, the better.

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