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Tari Eason Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Rockets Roster
June 24, 2022
LSU forward Tari Eason is off to the NBA after the Houston Rockets selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the draft.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Tari Eason
Position: PF
Height: 6'7"
Pro Comparison: Brandon Clarke
Scouting Report: Eason broke out on to NBA radars as a 6'7" forward who can attack off the dribble and bring defensive toughness/versatility. Developing into a regular spot-up shooter from three could turn the combo forward into a valuable, two-way role player.
Rockets Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)
Jabari Smith Jr., PF (rookie-scale contract)
Tari Eason, PF (rookie-scale contract)
John Wall, PG: $42.8M (2023)
Eric Gordon, SG: $18.9M (2024)
Jalen Green, SG: $10.2M (2025)
David Nwaba, SG: $5M (2025)
Alperen Sengun, C: $3.9M (2025)
Boban Marjanovic, C: $3.5M (2023)
Trey Burke, G: $3.2M (2023)
Sterling Brown, SG: $3M (2023)
Usman Garuba, PF: $3M (2025)
Josh Christopher, SG: $2.9M (2025)
Garrison Mathews, SG: $2.1M (2025)
Kevin Porter Jr., SG: $2M (2023)
Marquese Chriss, SF: $1.6M (2023)
Daishen Nix, PG: $1.5M (2025)
Jae'Sean Tate, SF: $1.5M (2023, Team Option)
Kenyon Martin Jr., SF: $1.4M (2024)
Dennis Schroder, PG: UFA
Bruno Fernando, PF: RFA
Anthony Lamb, SF: RFA
Trevelin Queen, SG: RFA
Eason spent his freshman season with Cincinnati, averaging 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds in 23 games (eight starts).
His decision to transfer to LSU worked wonders, however, as he posted 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in 24.4 minutes across 33 games (four starts). He shot 52.1 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three, giving him appealing three-and-D upside at the NBA level.
"The best quality he's got, is usually when kids have success, they relax," former LSU head coach Will Wade told reporters in March. "The more success he has, the harder he works, which is usually the exact opposite."
Houston is banking on him having quite a bit of success in the future.