In the aftermath of Thursday’s in-season NBA trade deadline, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone made it clear that he views fourth-year forward Tari Eason as an important part of Houston’s future.

“We look forward to having a great future with him,” Stone told Rockets Wire’s Brian Barefield. “He is a big part of our plans.”

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And in his first post-deadline game, Eason — who continues to have the best shooting season of his young career — showed exactly why Stone and the Rockets value him to that level.

In Saturday’s road win over the defending NBA champions, Eason delivered a season-high 26 points and 8 rebounds against the Thunder while making 10-of-22 shots (45.5%), including 5-of-13 from 3-point range (38.5%).

“I think Jabari (Smith Jr.) and Tari were good,” head coach Ime Udoka said postgame.

“They (the Thunder) doubled Kevin (Durant) quite a bit, they flooded and showed the crowd against Alpi (Sengun), so you take what the game gives you. That’s paint touches, or kick-out 3s. For Tari to shoot 22 shots, and 13 being 3s, that’s great. His aggression was great, and those were the right shots. If other guys have to be recipients based on the attention the other two draw, that’s a good formula for us.”

Among qualified players, Eason ranks third in the league in 3-point shooting (47.8%) this season, and he’s doing on a winning team (32-19) that currently ranks No. 4 in the Western Conference standings. The 24-year-old also remains a valued and versatile defender who has clearly earned Udoka’s trust.

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For the 2025-26 season, Eason is averaging career-highs in points per game (12.4), minutes per game (25.0), 3-point shooting, and true shooting (58.3%).

It is worth noting that Eason will be a restricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, so there are still negotiations to be had regarding his long-term contractual fit. But Houston will have the right to match any outside offer, and it appears that both sides very much intend on continuing their partnership.

More: Rockets 112, Thunder 106: Alperen Sengun ‘phenomenal’ in key road win

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Tari Eason continues his breakthrough shooting season for Rockets