Why the Houston Rockets Do It
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The Rockets are high on Eason. He’s a tough-minded, physical player who also has offensive skills. He’s not a great outside shooter, but he finished last year with career highs of 12 points and 1.7 steals per game. He’s a legit 6’8″, mobile enough to guard multiple positions. He’s a difficult player for Houston to part with for Ellis, but Eason has become more of a luxury than a necessity.
The additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Durant, along with the recent Jabari Smith Jr. extension, have crowded the Rockets’ frontcourt. The team also found lineups that worked with Alperen Şengün at the four alongside center Steven Adams. Bringing back Clint Capela may give Şengün more time at forward, if matchups are favorable.
Additionally, Eason is due a rookie-scale extension before the start of the regular season lest he become a restricted free agent next July. The heart of the issue, assuming Durant extends with the team in the $50-58 million range, is that the Rockets cannot afford to keep Eason on the kind of contract he’s seeking.
At worst, he’s likely to want PJ Washington money (Dallas Mavericks), which starts next year just under $20 million, increasing to nearly $25 million in 2029-30. Eason may want even higher, but with Durant, VanVleet (assuming he opts in at $25 million next season after the injury), Smith ($23.6 million), and others like Amen Thompson, Sheppard, Finney-Smith, Capela, etc., Houston’s salary would quickly exceed the second apron.
Does that make sense for a reserve, playing behind Durant, Şengün, and Smith? Does it work when the team may need to turn to Aaron Holiday, Thompson and Sheppard at the point? It could work, but Ellis provides another lanky guard, eager to defend the opposing point of attack.
While he’s not a true point guard with a high assist rate, this Rockets squad has playmaking with Durant, Şengün, and Thompson. Ellis can space the floor, stop the ball on defense, and isn’t in the same salary tier as Eason.
Ellis will be extension-eligible in February. His price range, should he excel in Houston, should be no higher than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception range (projected to be $15.1 million next year). He’ll be unrestricted in July, but may not turn down a reasonable offer—one Houston would try to negotiate in the range, keeping the squad under the 2026-27 second apron.
The second-round pick, projected to be in the 30s by Charlotte, is intended to offset the fact that the Kings are acquiring a restricted player in Eason vs. Ellis in Houston, who can potentially become unrestricted (both can still extend, if traded).
For the Rockets, it’s a question of need and financial fit. They like Eason, but may not be able to afford him, while needing some help at guard after losing VanVleet.
