Tari Eason Rumors

Two factors proved decisive in the Rockets' change of direction. First was Udoka's strong advocacy for the move. Second was the surprisingly reasonable asking price. "Another thing was they also couldn't say no to the price. The price was just so low they just couldn't say no. It's meant to say look what they still have on their roster. So they now have optionality. They can say 'let's keep letting Amen Thompson develop. Let's keep letting Jabari Smith. By the way, they love Tari Eason there. He can be the guy that replaces Dillon Brooks as that key defender.

RealGM

Over multiple weeks of discussions with Phoenix, with Rockets general manager Rafael Stone leading the talks, Houston maintained a firm stance in its refusal to include young players like Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, team sources told The Athletic. The Rockets refused to give up the Suns’ 2027 and 2029 first-round selections as well, no matter how motivated the Suns were to recoup those prized picks (they sent them to Brooklyn in the February 2023 Durant deal, and the Rockets landed them in a June 2024 deal with the Nets).

New York Times

Houston’s brass will continue to speak with representation for both Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., both of whom are extension-eligible this summer. According to team sources, they are comfortable matching any offer that would come for either in restricted free agency in 2026, assuming that a deal isn’t agreed upon this offseason. Eason and Smith have been key cogs in Udoka’s setup, with a two-way, unselfish approach that meshes well with the roster.

New York Times

Adam Wexler: #Rockets GM Rafael Stone on the possibility of extensions for Tari Eason & Jabari Smith Jr., he said he won’t comment on any those possibilities, but did say, “They are very important parts of what we do. They are both really, really solid guys. I love those guys.”

Twitter

League and team sources have also indicated that VanVleet wants to remain in Houston for the long run, which VanVleet spoke about Sunday. Tari Eason and Smith are also extension-eligible, and team sources say the Rockets are hopeful to keep them in town for the long haul.

New York Times

Danielle Lerner: Tari Eason said he was confused why he got a tech in altercation w/ Draymond Green. Asked if Green apologized, Eason said, "He was like, 'If I was gonna kick you, I would've done it on purpose,' I guess, but there's no apology in this situation. I'm not looking for no apology."

bsky.app

Tari Eason: Tari Eason on the Rockets' mindset ahead of Game 5 vs. the Warriors: "We want to wake up now. It's win or go home. Leave it all on the line. That's really all it is."

bsky.app

Adam Wexler: #Rockets injury/status report vs Lakers tonight: OUT: Dillon Brooks (rest) Tari Eason (left leg injury management) Alperen Sengun (personal reasons) Jabari Smith Jr. (groin) Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) Amen Thompson (rest) Fred VanVleet (ankle)

Twitter

Danielle Lerner: Reed Sheppard (thumb fracture) is listed as questionable to play for the Rockets on Sunday in Phoenix. Tari Eason (lower left leg injury management) is out.

Twitter

Kelly Iko: Amen Thompson (left ankle soreness) is OUT tonight. Tari Eason will start.

Twitter

Danielle Lerner: Ime Udoka said the Rockets have talked about strategically resting players and hiding tactics from teams they might play in the playoffs in the last 11 games. But stressed that the top priority is winning. Sounds like Tari Eason & Steven Adams won’t play both games of the b2b.

bsky.app

It was far from perfect, but the Rockets completed an undefeated homestand with a 144-137 win over the 76ers in overtime on Monday at Toyota Center, extending their win streak to a season-best seven games. Smith and Jalen Green each scored 30 points and shot 5-of-7 on 3s for the Rockets. Dillon Brooks had 25 points. Tari Eason, who led all scorers with 18 first-half points, finished with 21 points and eight rebounds after he fouled out with four minutes left in regulation.

Houston Chronicle

David Hardisty: Fred VanVleet and Tari Eason are out tonight. All the others that were questionable will be gametime decisions after warmups.

Twitter

Danielle Lerner: Jabari Smith Jr. will come off the bench tonight for the Rockets. Tari Eason will start instead of FVV. Udoka said it’s to ease Smith back in and take advantage of having Eason in first half of a b2b. Jabari said yesterday that he’d accept a bench role.

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