The Houston Rockets pried away Dorian Finney-Smith from the Los Angeles in the summer of 2025, nabbing one of the best role players of last season's team away from Rob Pelinka. The Lakers general manager can return the favor in 2026 by swooping in and signing Tari Eason.
Eason and Kevin Durant were the two key names of the core in Houston that needed new deals done. Durant signed on the dotted line, reaching a two-year, $90 million contract extension with the Rockets. There was no such luck with the promising young forward.
Shams Charania reported on Twitter/X, "No rookie extension for the Houston Rockets and Tari Eason, sources tell ESPN.