Rockets Prioritize Tari Eason Extension Before Kevin Durant

The Rockets want to lock down role pieces before finalizing Kevin Durant’s expected two-year, over-38 extension. Jake Fischer reports Houston "would prefer to secure an extension with Tari Eason" so they "would relish knowing exactly how the books look with an extended Eason." Jabari Smith Jr.’s five-year, $122M deal likely pushes Eason’s price below Smith’s $24.4M AAV; Eason, coming off 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 34.2% from three, is a restricted free agent whose contract shapes spacing around Durant. Merlin sees method in the maneuvering: prioritizing Eason is about roster balance as much as bookkeeping. A sensible Eason deal—perhaps with a Year 4 player option like Şengün and Green—keeps Houston flexible while Durant pursues a title. But if Eason tests the market, the Rockets may face a delicate choice between cap certainty and chemistry.