ESPN’s Shams Charania on Fred VanVleet and the Rockets: “Both sides believe in a partnership for years to come beyond the two years, sources said.”
The new contract agreement between the Houston Rockets and Fred VanVleet is only for two seasons in length, and the second year is a player option.
By reducing the 2025-26 value from nearly $45 million (under the previous team option) to approximately $25 million, the Rockets will have significantly more spending power this offseason, which can be used to put together a better roster.
But even though it’s technically a two-year deal, and perhaps shorter than that depending on the option decision, the commitment between the Rockets and VanVleet is intended to be for a much longer period.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports:
VanVleet’s new deal gives the Rockets flexibility over the next year and gives him the opportunity to enter the 2026 free agency market where there will be more salary cap space for teams. Both sides believe in a partnership for years to come beyond the two years, sources said.
Since signing with the Rockets in 2023 free agency, VanVleet has repeatedly referred to his situation with Houston as a longer-term arrangement, and that seemingly remains his intention.
As Charania indicated, it’s possible that Houston might have to pay a higher price in a year, pending VanVleet’s performance in the upcoming 2025-26 season and the market leverage that a good season might provide. But the Rockets are seemingly willing to take that risk in exchange for the upside of building a better roster this offseason (around newly acquired superstar Kevin Durant).
Wednesday’s podcast episode of The Lager Line (sponsored by Houston’s Karbach Brewing) explores some of the financial possibilities that could result from VanVleet restructuring his contract.
Now 31 years old, VanVleet has been a huge part of Houston’s growth over the last two seasons. Since his arrival in July 2023, the Rockets have improved from 22-60 in the preceding season (and last place in the 15-team Western Conference) to 41-41 in 2023-24 and 52-30 in 2024-25, which culminated with a No. 2 finish in the West standings.
During two seasons in Rockets, VanVleet has averaged 15.9 points (36.9% on 3-pointers), 6.9 assists, and only 1.6 turnovers in 36.1 minutes per game. Known for his leadership, the 2019 NBA champion elevated his play in the recently completed 2025 playoffs, averaging 18.7 points and 4.4 assists while connecting on 43.5% of his 3-point attempts.