Tari Eason's early-season success has left fans and front office members alike wondering if this fourth-year forward truly finds himself in Houston or simply caught a lucky break.
So far, Eason's gamble on himself appears to be paying off. With a sizzling hot 51.7% overall shooting percentage and an impressive 53.1% mark from beyond the arc, he has emerged as a crucial contributor to the Rockets' bench under head coach Ime Udoka. This season, Eason is averaging 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, demonstrating that he's not just a flash in the pan.
However, Eason's growth was initially hampered by two early-season losses against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, where he struggled to find his rhythm. Fortunately, things turned around quickly as he went on an eight-game tear, sinking 57% of his three-point attempts with five shots per game on average. His approach has shifted from trying to do too much to setting up for wide open shots that arise when opponents give more attention to center Alperen Sengun and forward Kevin Durant.
The question remains: will Eason's market value continue to rise, potentially pricing the Rockets out of re-signing him in the summer? The team has recently extended fellow fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year, $122 million contract, while there are expectations that rising superstar Amen Thompson will be offered a maximum extension next summer if he maintains his current trajectory.
To mitigate the risk, the Rockets may consider signing forwards Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency last summer as insurance against Eason's increasing market value. With the team currently sitting at 7-3 and boasting the top overall offense and third-best net rating, they have time to sort out their future with Eason.
For now, Houston is content to see him continue to contribute significantly to their hot start.
So far, Eason's gamble on himself appears to be paying off. With a sizzling hot 51.7% overall shooting percentage and an impressive 53.1% mark from beyond the arc, he has emerged as a crucial contributor to the Rockets' bench under head coach Ime Udoka. This season, Eason is averaging 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, demonstrating that he's not just a flash in the pan.
However, Eason's growth was initially hampered by two early-season losses against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, where he struggled to find his rhythm. Fortunately, things turned around quickly as he went on an eight-game tear, sinking 57% of his three-point attempts with five shots per game on average. His approach has shifted from trying to do too much to setting up for wide open shots that arise when opponents give more attention to center Alperen Sengun and forward Kevin Durant.
The question remains: will Eason's market value continue to rise, potentially pricing the Rockets out of re-signing him in the summer? The team has recently extended fellow fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year, $122 million contract, while there are expectations that rising superstar Amen Thompson will be offered a maximum extension next summer if he maintains his current trajectory.
To mitigate the risk, the Rockets may consider signing forwards Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency last summer as insurance against Eason's increasing market value. With the team currently sitting at 7-3 and boasting the top overall offense and third-best net rating, they have time to sort out their future with Eason.
For now, Houston is content to see him continue to contribute significantly to their hot start.
this season! I mean 51.7% from the field and 53.1% 3PT? that's insane 
not sure if it's luck or what but he's definitely proven himself as a valuable contributor to the team. gotta be worried about his market value though, they just signed Jabari Smith Jr to a huge contract and Amen Thompson is expected to get maxed out next year 
maybe they should've gone after Eason like last summer? signed some solid forwards like Okogie or Finney-Smith as insurance policies 
, I mean, who wouldn't be after beating the Thunder and Pistons in consecutive games? It's like he knew exactly what was coming. Anyway, it's cute that the Rockets are playing it cool and focusing on their current winning streak instead of worrying about Eason's future contract situation. Maybe they're hoping to "wait and see" if his hot streak will magically extend into the offseason? 
It's also interesting that Jabari Smith Jr. just got a max extension, so maybe Eason is already feeling the pressure? 
! 51.7% shooting? that's insane! i don't know if he's gonna be a max contract player or not, but whatever, the rockets are reaping the benefits 
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The fact that Jabari Smith Jr got a massive contract extension last year kinda makes me think that Eason will be the one who ends up getting left behind if they don't re-sign him soon... 
can't believe the rockets signed jabari smith jr to that 5 year 122 million contract tho! i mean i guess you gotta pay the piper when you're getting all-star production like amen thompson 