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Stay or go: Predicting what Rockets will do with 2026 free agents
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- Stay or go: Predicting what Rockets will do with 2026 free agents
It's no secret the Houston Rockets underperformed this season. In a year they were expected to be contenders, the Rockets were bounced in the first round, but a strong offseason could help them take the next step in Year 2 of the Kevin Durant experience.
Houston has the main pieces of its core, like Durant and Alperen Sengun , locked down for the foreseeable future. That doesn't mean the Rockets don't have tough decisions to make this summer. Tari Eason , a vital part of the Rockets' core when healthy, will enter restricted free agency. Eason's play has earned him a raise, but with Amen Thompson up for an extension next offseason as well, Houston will have to be mindful of its cap situation.
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Assuming Fred VanVleet takes his player option and the Rockets exercise their team option on JD Davison , Houston will have six free agents this summer, including Eason. Here are the predictions on what the Rockets will do with every one of those free agents:
Tari Eason: Re-Sign
Ultimately, the decision to re-sign Eason comes down to how difficult it would be to replace him. Houston's cap situation is murky at best if Houston signs him on a long-term deal, but contending teams often have to do some gymnastics to balance their books. If the Rockets are serious about contending next season, they'll need Eason's perimeter defense and shooting, which will be hard to replicate on the open market.
His inability to stay healthy prevented Houston from signing him to an extension last summer, but bank on the two sides finding a way to get it done this offseason and Eason staying in Houston long-term.
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Josh Okogie : Re-Sign
Okogie was only expected to provide bench depth for the Rockets this season, but he became a regular part of the rotation due to Houston's various injuries. The Rockets got great value by signing him for the veteran's minimum last summer, as his defensive energy and three-point shooting were crucial.
He could receive some interest on the open market and a small pay raise as a result, but Houston should look to keep him around.
Aaron Holiday : Re-Sign
While he doesn't provide the same upside defensively, the Rockets will likely re-sign Holiday to space the floor in the same way Okogie can, as he shot over 39% from deep for the second straight season. Holiday's shooting dipped to just 26.7% from beyond the arc in the playoffs, but he was also playing through an adductor strain.
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With Fred VanVleet returning next season, Holiday's minutes will likely decrease if Houston re-signs him, but he knows the Rockets' system and can run the offense.
Aaron Holiday: Re-Sign
While he doesn't provide the same upside defensively, the Rockets will likely re-sign Holiday to space the floor in the same way Okogie can, as he shot over 39% from deep for the second straight season. Holiday's shooting dipped to just 26.7% from beyond the arc in the playoffs, but he was also playing through an adductor strain.
With Fred VanVleet returning next season, Holiday's minutes will likely decrease if Houston re-signs him, but he knows the Rockets' system and can run the offense.
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Jae'Sean Tate: Let Go
As the longest-tenured Rocket, some fans might be sad to see Houston let Tate walk in free agency. Tate provided hustle and defensive energy in his limited minutes, but he rarely saw the court this season when Houston was healthy.
His minutes have declined every season since his rookie year with an even smaller role in the playoffs, setting Tate up for a new team after six seasons with the Rockets.
Jeff Green : Let Go
It would be another bittersweet breakup for Rockets fans, but it's unlikely Houston will re-sign Green this offseason. He'll be 40 years old next season, and this season was his 18th in the NBA. He also played the fewest minutes per game of his career at just 5.8, posting career-lows across the board.
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Green provided plenty of veteran leadership for the Rockets this year, but he looks to be headed for retirement after a memorable career.
Isaiah Crawford : Re-Sign
As a two-way player, Crawford played in just 15 games for Houston this season, but the 24-year-old showed enough flashes for the Rockets to bring him back. If he can get his three-point shooting up from the 23.1% he made in limited action, he could be an interesting project for Houston to take on, considering his defensive upside.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Stay or go: Predicting what Rockets will do with 2026 free agents
