As teams like the Lakers and Bulls circle the versatile wing, Houston faces a high-stakes gamble between matching a massive payday or losing a core two-way player.
While free agency can be difficult for front offices to maneuver, the Houston Rockets have one advantage with a key player on their roster. Restricted free agency gives them the ability to match any contract offer for Tari Eason
Every indication is pointing to them retaining the 3&D wing this summer, but what if someone gives Eason an unreasonably high offer? What is Houston’s breaking point? Do they have one?
I personally expect Tari to get somewhere between 20 to 25 million dollars annually, but would prefer it to be on the lower side. Any team with the available cap space can make their offer though.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls are rumored to be two of the top suitors, with the Brooklyn Nets being another team with significant cap space.
If any team made an offer that Rafael Stone and Houston’s front office deemed to be unreasonable, there is a chance they could lose Tari Eason and get nothing in return. That’d be the worst case scenario.
However, that could potentially open the door for a sign-and-trade at the very least. While restricted free agency and rookie scale extensions can complicate matters, it could be a last-ditch effort to recoup some assets.
I would expect Tari Eason to be wearing Houston’s new ketchup and mustard jerseys next season, but nothing is certain.
