Two starting point guards in the NBA Western Conference are planning on signing new deals with their respective franchises, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Houston Rockets veteran guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to remain in Houston, with a player option in the second season. The Rockets are slated to decline VanVleet’s $44.9 million team option for next season to implement the new two-year deal.
VanVleet, 31, averaged 14.4 points, 5.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game last season in 60 appearances for the Rockets.
Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is declining his $43 million player option and plans to sign a three-year, $119 million contract with the franchise. The deal includes a player option in the final season.
Irving is recovering from a torn ACL. Charania reported the eight-time All-Star is expected to miss the beginning of next season, but could return as soon as January.
Irving told ESPN on Tuesday night that his decision to stay with the Mavericks long term was based on a commitment level from both sides, wanting to build a legacy in Dallas, and believing in the franchise’s ability to win a championship when he returns healthy from a torn ACL.
Irving, 33, averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game last season in 50 appearances for Dallas.