So far, the 2025-26 season for the Philadelphia 76ers has been a resounding success. Superstar Joel Embiid has eased his injury woes, Paul George is having an offensive resurgence, and Tyrese Maxey's ascension to stardom has been phenomenal. Despite this, Philadelphia's roster still needs rectifying defensively; trading for the Houston Rockets' Tari Eason would do that. However, Marc Stein's article states that the forward is going nowhere before the NBA trade deadline on February 4.
Stein's 'Sunday Best' piece (paid subscription required) has cooled talk of any trades happening for the 24-year-old before the window for moving players slams shut. "If you're hoping your team makes a play for Houston's Tari Eason... prepare to be disappointed.".
He then continues, "Word was emphatically conveyed Monday that any Eason speculation is off target and the Rockets' fourth-year forward is not available to interested teams in advance of this deadline."
Philadelphia may not have had any credible links to acquire the player, but it cannot be denied that Eason would add a sense of resilience to the 76ers' defensive transitions and supplement scoring alongside Embiid, George, and Maxey.
Eason would help build foundation for other stars to thrive
The 76ers are now in a healthy position to claim a postseason spot, whether that be the dreaded Play-In Tournament or an automatic playoff seeding. This roster has shown increased capabilities on the floor, and now Embiid is exhibiting traits of the dominant center he once was. Nevertheless, the 2023 MVP is most useful to the Sixers when his offense is his sole focus. This requires depth and versatility in front-court areas to carry a percentage of Embiid's defensive load.
This strategy has already paid dividends for the Sixers, as both Dominick Barlow and Kelly Oubre Jr. have the attributes to limit Embiid's physical output in an attempt to limit his chances of aggravating a left knee injury that has plagued the recent years of his career.
Houston's Tari Eason would add quality depth to a position that inevitably will become vital to the Sixers' hopes of becoming championship contenders. The 2022 first-round draft pick exudes relentless energy and is the perfect fit for Philadelphia's roster. Not only is he a menace on the interior, but Eason's fast hands and awareness have proved he can be an important defensive asset for any competitive franchise.
In transition, Eason is electric. The 76ers rely on a quick, counter-attacking offense to prevent even the most resilient of opponents from slipping into a defensive structure. Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have perfected this approach, and the Rockets' two-way forward would only amplify the devastation this tactic causes.
Despite being considered a rotational piece in Houston, Tari Eason is still putting up impressive numbers. Through 24 games, the LSU graduate is averaging 12 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
Undoubtedly, Tari Eason would bolster a roster that has been constructed with the aim of elevating the performances of Philadelphia's franchise star, Joel Embiid. However, this trade proposal is now a pipedream as Marc Stein has poured ice-cold water on any hopes of making this a reality. The Houston Rockets have no intention of sanctioning a move for Eason as they look to challenge at the higher echelons of the NBA themselve