Fred VanVleet (team option on his contract this offseason) on his future with the Rockets: “It was never a short-term vision. It was a long-term goal. We’re on track. We’re on schedule.”
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet on his future: “Obviously, I put my heart and soul into this, and this is where I want to be. It’s definitely a family situation. I’ve got a lot of love for our coaching staff, Rafael (Stone), the Fertitta family, what we set out to do when I had my… pic.twitter.com/L4neTBAeEk
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 5, 2025
The 2024-25 NBA season was a down year for veteran Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, whose efficiency declined significantly from the previous season (51.5% true shooting versus 56.8%). A nagging ankle injury suffered midway through the year was likely among the reasons.
Still, though, VanVleet has clear value as the experienced leader and floor general for a young and developing team that finished the regular season at 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference.
And in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, VanVleet showed that his shooting has the potential to bounce back. From Game 4 through Game 7 of Houston’s first-round series loss to the Golden State Warriors, VanVleet averaged 24.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while making 55.8% of his shots and 63.6% from 3-point range. He connected on all 18 of his free-throw attempts in that stretch, as well.
At 31 years old, VanVleet should have several more quality NBA seasons left — and it seems likely that he wants to spend most or all of them in Houston. After Game 7, VanVleet said of his future:
Obviously, I put my heart and soul into this, and this is where I want to be. It’s definitely a family situation. I’ve got a lot of love for our coaching staff, Rafael (Stone, general manager), the Fertitta family (ownership), what we set out to do when I had my free agent meeting two years ago, and we’re on that track. It was never a short-term vision. It was a long-term goal. We’re on track. We’re on schedule.
The original contract that VanVleet signed with the Rockets in the 2023 offseason has a team option at $44.9 million for next season. The Rockets could simply pick up that option, since they’re likely to operate above the salary cap in 2025-26, regardless — or they could use it as a starting point to negotiate a longer-term deal at a reduced annual value.
Whatever the case, the likely scenario is for VanVleet to still be with the Rockets when the 2025-26 season opens in a few months.
“I think both sides want him here,” head coach Ime Udoka said after Game 7. “He’s a huge part of our growth. Love everything he’s done. Perfect combo of on- and off-ball for our guards and young guys to grow. I’d love to have him back, and I think the feeling is mutual.”
Ime Udoka on Fred VanVleet’s future: “I think both sides want to be here & want him here… He’s a huge part of our growth. Love everything he’s done. Perfect combo of on & off ball for our guards & young guys to grow. I’d love to have him back, & I think the feeling’s mutual.” pic.twitter.com/5Z7aHEctUJ
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 5, 2025