Eason’s newfound three-point prowess shines, even after injury setbacks. But with health concerns and contract looming, is his value at its peak?
Through the first half of this season, Tari Eason’s three point stats have been higher than ever before. Putting up 4.5 attempts every game has shown his confidence, as he averaged 2.5 attempts through his first three NBA seasons, per StatMuse. At 46.6-percent, he’s currently making about 10-percent more of his threes than in any prior season. It feels safe to say he’s shooting at an elite level.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that percentage goes down by the end of the season, but this still isn’t a small sample size. Playing in 23 games proves it to be more than just a hot streak. That’s more than a quarter of the season, shooting a relatively high volume. What makes it even more impressive is that he can miss time, but start knocking down threes again at the same efficiency when he rejoins the rotation.
We just got to witness this in the tough loss against Philadelphia. Sitting out five games due to injury, and not taking any threes in his actual return against San Antonio, Eason drilled three out of his seven attempts on Thursday. A cool 42.9-percent after 13 days without shooting a three in an NBA game.
Similarly, he rejoined the Rockets with the same level of impact a month prior in Sacramento. This time, missing more than a month with an oblique strain, he returned to make all three of his attempts. A huge boost that unfortunately wasn’t enough in the overtime loss.
While it’s great to not have any rust when returning from an extended absence, it’d be nice to not have those absences to begin with. Obviously he doesn’t want to miss games, but it is an unfortunate reality and likely a factor in him not signing a contract extension this past summer.
After playing all 82 games in his debut season, health and availability has been an issue for Tari since then. Out of Houston’s 207 regular season games after his rookie year, he’s only played in 102 of them. Being available for less than 50-percent of the time is a big blow to the team.
With that being said, is it time to sell high on Tari Eason? I know how great the “Terror Twins” are, but it’s just a thought. I definitely wouldn’t be actively looking to trade him, but if a team comes with an offer, it shouldn’t be automatically shut down. His value might not be as high down the line, and the situation could end poorly.
Despite Eason being a restricted free agent, that still doesn’t mean contract negotiations will be any easier. Just this past summer, there were plenty examples of that format not working: Deandre Ayton, Jonathan Kuminga, and Cam Thomas.
Ayton just had to get bought out of his bad contract that Phoenix matched in 2022. Kuminga hasn’t had value on his own team and has no value on the trade market. Cam Thomas accepted his qualifying offer, only making six million dollars and currently having his worst statistical season in two or three years.
While there are still Josh Giddey’s out there, whose contract situation worked out the best so far, it was also just as long and drawn out as the others. Essentially lasting the entire offseason, before finally agreeing to a deal on September 9th. An unfortunate contract situation that Rockets fans might have to go through with Tari Eason.