Houston Rockets fans, get ready to see Tari Eason in a new light—and a new contract. According to Varun Shankar, the Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, an "informed prediction" for Eason's next average annual salary is a cool $22 million. That's a significant raise for the 25-year-old forward, but the big question is: who will be writing that check?

The Rockets and Eason will have an exclusive negotiating window once the 2026 NBA Finals wrap up in June. If they can't come to terms, Eason will hit restricted free agency, meaning Houston can match any offer from another team. It's a high-stakes game of poker, and the Rockets are holding a strong hand—but they're also playing with house money.

If that $22 million figure is spread over five years (the maximum length Eason is eligible for), it would land in the ballpark of the $100-million-plus deal reportedly offered during extension talks before the 2025-26 season. But those talks fell through, likely over how much of the contract would be fully guaranteed. And for good reason: in the two previous seasons, Eason missed more than half of Houston's regular-season games due to a recurring issue with his lower left leg.

Here's the silver lining: Eason suited up for 66 regular-season and playoff games in the 2025-26 campaign, and that nagging leg issue seemed to be a thing of the past. However, his on-court performance was a bit of a mixed bag. He hit a 3-point slump after the All-Star break and posted a career-low 46.3% shooting clip on two-point shots. Not exactly the kind of numbers that scream "max contract," but there's more to Eason's game than just scoring.

Defensively, Eason is a beast. At 6-foot-8, he's one of the most versatile and valuable players in head coach Ime Udoka's system. With Eason as a key piece, the Rockets have posted back-to-back 52-30 seasons and a top-six defense in the league. That kind of impact doesn't go unnoticed—or unpaid.

Here's the bottom line: the Rockets are expected to operate above the NBA's 2026-27 salary cap, no matter what. So, the smart money is on Houston finding a way to keep Eason in the fold. Whether it's $22 million a year or something close, one thing is clear: Tari Eason's next contract is going to be a game-changer—for him, and for the Rockets. Stay tuned.