NBA Rumors: Rockets, Tari Eason, Grizzlies, Ja Morant, Pelicans

Rockets

The Rockets could be headed for a tricky offseason financially.

Per cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, Houston’s proximity to the tax aprons, along with Tari Eason’s restricted free agency, could delay some roster moves into the fall. It’s a situation similar to what the Warriors dealt with last year involving Jonathan Kuminga.

One name to watch is Dorian Finney-Smith, who is entering the final guaranteed year of his deal. Gozlan points to him as a possible salary-dump candidate after an offseason surgery impacted his 2025-26 campaign.

Moving his contract without taking money back could help Houston dip below the tax line.

Other decisions loom. Amen Thompson is eligible for a rookie-scale extension, while Eason’s market and Fred VanVleet’s $25 million player option will factor into the cap picture.

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies moved up to No. 3 in the draft lottery and now hold multiple picks, including No. 16 (via the Suns) and No. 32 (via the Pacers).

Adding young talent will be a priority for a roster that includes Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells. But as Spotrac’s Keith Smith noted, the bigger question may still be what happens with Ja Morant.

Morant’s name surfaced in trade chatter earlier in the year, and the Grizzlies’ draft position only adds to the list of offseason decisions.

Pelicans

The Pelicans didn’t control their own pick, but that didn’t mean they weren’t watching the lottery.

As Rod Walker of NOLA.com wrote, the outcome impacts last year’s deal with the Hawks. The Hawks land the No. 8 pick in 2026 to complete the trade that sent Derik Queen to New Orleans at No. 13 in 2025, with Asa Newell going to Atlanta at No. 23.

“Human nature kicks in,” president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. “Of course I’m going to follow it.”