Tari Eason offered the Rockets a reminder of his importance when he erupted for a career-high 30 points in Friday’s blowout victory over Dallas, writes Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle. Eason, who shot 11-of-15 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the foul line, also recorded eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal in 31 minutes.
“I think that every night Tari plays, he’s super impactful,” Jalen Green said. “Getting steals, playing defense. Tonight he did a little bit of everything: scoring, rebounding, playing defense. So nothing that he doesn’t do every time out for us.”
Lerner notes that Eason has been starting for most of the past six weeks due to injuries to Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson. Eason, who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension in the offseason, has increased his production over that span, averaging 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks on .520/.380/.895 shooting over his past 13 games (29.1 MPG)
“His effort and intensity is always there,” head coach Ime Udoka said. “Just continues to grow as a player. Also liked when some guys got going, (Spencer) Dinwiddie, got to put (Eason) on him and slowed him down some. And yeah, did what he does at both ends.”
Here are a few more notes from the Southwest Division:
- Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama is posting career-best averages of 12.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 2.8 APG ahead of restricted free agency this summer. In an interview with Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda, the Spanish big man said he has worked to add muscle to his frame and credited the team’s offensive system — and his own improvement — for his output thus far in 2024/25. “The way that we move the ball, just getting more opportunities to actually make some plays,” Aldama told Afseth. “I think that’s, that’s been big, and I think the natural growth. I’m still super young, so I feel like every year, I’m just getting better.”
- Veteran swingman Bruce Brown has struggled mightily since he was traded to the Pelicans ahead of last month’s deadline, but he had a solid performance in Tuesday’s victory over the Clippers, notching 12 points, five rebounds and five assists (no turnovers). “It was good,” Brown said, per Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “As you all know, I’ve been struggling with the transition. So for my confidence, this helps a lot. Still, I’m learning. I’ve got to keep going. Being aggressive and making my shots. I think that’s the biggest key for me — making my shots and continuing to put my work in.” Brown, who will be an unrestricted free agent in a few months, is shooting just 32.4% from the floor in 12 games with New Orleans, including 16.7% from long distance.
- Due to the shocking trade of Luka Doncic and the ensuing tidal wave of injuries, most notably losing Kyrie Irving to a torn ACL, the Mavericks hold the top spot on Zach Harper of The Athletic‘s “Misery Index.” The injury-ravaged Pelicans also make an appearance, coming in at fourth on the five-team list.
Houston has a nice package of young players they can offer to pull off a blockbuster. Jabari Smith and Tari Eason very attractive trade chips. Reed Shepherd can be thrown in as salary filler on a rookie deal. How much $$$$ will be left once Amen Thompson, Jalen Green and Sengun ultimately get fully maxed?? Great problem to have.
Who is the ideal superstar target for the Rockets?
Anthony Edwards
They have the pieces, but they have to be very careful who they trade. I believe Eason and Smith Jr are keepers. It’s hard for me to want Jalen Green for the future. They once traded Steve Francis for T-Mac and I would like to see something of similar with Green. I prefer Eason, Smith, Amen, and Sengun as the core of the future. You can pair Tate Jr and Green for a superstar to play with Eason, Smith, Amen, and Sengun. Those 4 alone, will be the best 4 men in the league.
I don’t think the rockets need to make a “blockbuster trade”. They’re currently second in a stacked western conference and the majority of their team is still 22 years old or younger. They own a ton of draft picks, so they can keep developing and signing their own guys and use free agency and the draft to continue to add guys. I think the strategy of giving up a ton of youth and draft capital for one guy is a dead one with the way the current cap is constructed. I think teams value building through the draft much more than they use to, and rightfully so.
Santi Aldama would be a dream fit on the Pelicans
Tari’s is going to be in that $25 mil neighborhood.