While the LA Clippers were somewhere napping, probably in their third dream, another tailor-made target for the team’s current needs has been taken off the board: Tari Eason. It has been announced that the Houston Rockets signed Eason to a five-year, $81.5 million contract, which is an absurd bargain the Clippers’ front office could’ve afforded for the power forward spot that’s left open following John Collins’ departure to the Detroit Pistons.
Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Eason. pic.twitter.com/C3eRhwXis2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2026
And, in all honesty, the Clippers could’ve found a way to offer Eason more than the Rockets; his 2025-26 averages of 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, and the fact that he’s only 25, indicate that he would be worth every penny of it.
Yet, Eason is gone, and with him off the market for good, the Clippers’ front office might actually have to scramble to fill in the hole in the frontcourt.
At the moment, the LA Clippers are starving for a player like Tari Eason
For Tari Eason, the LA Clippers should’ve found some way, somehow, to come to an agreement with him in free agency. He’s far too talented on both sides of the ball, and with how glaring the current need is in the starting power forward slot, Eason was the perfect man for the job.
As mentioned above, Eason was excellent in the regular season. He faced some adversity due to a shooting slump from beyond the arc, but he found the light at the end of the tunnel and dominated in the playoffs, which is all that matters.
For reference, Eason posted 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.5 steals across six postseason games, with a field-goal percentage of 47.7%.
This is the exact type of production the Clippers need in the shoes John Collins left behind, and if anything, he brings more to the table, as Eason is truly one of the better defenders in the league at his position.
Now, when one factors in Eason’s ability to perform at a high level, particularly on the biggest stage, along with his age fitting like a glove into the Clippers’ timeline, the conclusion is that he would eliminate so many of the team's troubles for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately for the Clippers, though, Eason is on the Rockets’ books for the next five seasons.
What a luxury this is for Houston, which leaves Lawrence Frank with one less option to pursue in free agency.
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