What happened: Restricted free agent Tari Eason has agreed to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to stay with the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The forward has spent his first four seasons in Houston. The agreement ends any suspense over his restricted status this offseason.

Why it matters: Eason's return keeps a defensive-minded, versatile forward in a Rockets rotation that reached the postseason last spring. At roughly $16.3 million per year, the contract is a team-friendly number for a young wing, giving Houston cost-controlled depth as it builds toward the 2026-27 season. It also removes the risk of a rival prying him away with an offer sheet.

What to watch: Attention now turns to how the Rockets round out their frontcourt and wing depth as free agency continues. Eason's role and minutes in the 2026-27 rotation will be worth tracking once the roster settles.