Fred VanVleet Extends Tenure with the Houston Rockets
Fred VanVleet, the Houston Rockets’ guard, is set to extend his tenure with the team by signing a new contract worth $50 million over two years, reports indicate. This contract includes a player option for the 2026-27 season. ESPN sources suggest that the Rockets will not be picking up VanVleet’s existing team option of $44.9 million for the upcoming season, paving the way for this new agreement through his agent, Rich Paul, who heads Klutch Sports.
Impact on the Team
At 31 years old, VanVleet is rejoining a Rockets squad that has recently seen significant enhancements, including a high-profile acquisition of 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant. VanVleet’s role has been pivotal in transforming the Rockets from a team that frequently missed the playoffs to a legitimate playoff contender during his two-year stint in Houston.
After joining the Rockets on a three-year deal in the summer of 2023, he played a crucial part in the team’s dramatic improvement, jumping from only 22 wins to 41 victories in his initial season. In the latest NBA season, the Rockets triumphed with 52 wins, securing the No. 2 playoff seed in the Western Conference and ending a four-year absence from the postseason.
Performance Analysis
Although VanVleet’s regular season scoring dipped to an average of 14.1 points in 2024-25—the lowest since 2018-19—his performance in the playoffs showcased his potential. During the first-round defeat to the Golden State Warriors, he scored an impressive 24.3 points per game over the final four matches, shooting 56% from the field and an impressive 64% from beyond the arc.
Known for his gritty defense, VanVleet excels in creating plays and is a heavy contributor to the team’s 3-point shooting efforts, finishing second on the Rockets with an average of 7.7 attempts per game this season. However, he has struggled with shooting efficiency, marking the fourth time in his nine-year career that he finished a season with below 40% shooting from the field. Throughout his career, he has maintained averages of 14.9 points and 5.7 assists per game.
