Tari Eason reportedly agrees to five-year Rockets return

Tari Eason has agreed to return to the Houston Rockets on a reported five-year, $81.5 million contract. The deal is described as fully guaranteed, keeping one of Houston’s key wing defenders with the team after he entered restricted free agency.

Eason, the No. 17 pick by Houston in the 2022 draft, is coming off a season in which he averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals while playing a career-high 25 minutes per game. He appeared in 60 games and started 34, giving the Rockets a larger sample of his value after earlier durability questions.

The agreement follows a missed extension deadline last October, when the sides did not finalize a deal before Eason became a restricted free agent. Houston retained the right to match outside offers, but the reported agreement removes that uncertainty.

For the Rockets, the contract signals a continued investment in defensive versatility and depth on the wing. Eason also lifted his scoring in the playoffs to 12.8 points per game on 47.7% shooting, strengthening his case for a long-term role in Houston’s rotation.