Overview
- Eason will play the final year of his rookie deal and enter restricted free agency next summer, giving the Rockets the right to match outside offers.
- Talks broke down over gaps in valuation and deal structure on multiple fronts, according to reporting from Shams Charania and Kelly Iko.
- Kevin Durant accepted roughly $30 million less on his two-year, $90 million extension over the weekend, but the added flexibility did not produce an agreement with Eason.
- Head coach Ime Udoka said the team may hold Eason out of back-to-backs to start the season as Houston continues to manage his past lower-leg issues.
- Eason posted career highs last season, including 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while Houston projects payroll room roughly $24 million below the first apron and $37 million below the second without his next deal.