Overview
- Eason heads into the final year of his rookie deal at $5.7 million after no agreement was reached by Monday's 5 p.m. deadline.
- Talks stalled because the sides were far apart on valuation and contract structure, according to reporting from Shams Charania and Kelly Iko.
- Kevin Durant accepted a two-year, $90 million extension roughly $30 million below the max, yet the savings did not lead to an Eason deal.
- Eason’s recent leg surgery and conservative usage plans, including possible limits on back-to-backs, factored into assessments as he has also pushed for a larger role.
- Houston projects roughly $24 million below next season’s first-apron threshold, with Jabari Smith Jr. already extended and Amen Thompson approaching eligibility.