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Houston Rockets Have A $45 Million Decision To Make On Fred VanVleet

Originally posted on Sportscasting | By Anthony Cardenas | Last updated May 6, 2025 9:56 PM ET

Despite being one of the most improved teams during the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Houston Rockets could potentially be undergoing some serious changes this summer. They have some decisions to make in order to capitalize on a 52-30 record, and one of those choices surrounds point guard Fred VanVleet.

Rockets Have $44 Million Team Option For Fred VanVleet

VanVleet spent the first seven years of his career in Toronto before making his way to Houston. While with the Raptors, he qualified for his only All-Star appearance to date, and was a key piece in the team’s championship run in 2019. VanVleet joined the Rockets before the start of the 2023-24 campaign, and has been the team’s veteran leader during their recent ascent.

But his future with the team is up in the air. VanVleet signed a three-year deal when he joined the team, with the final year coming as a team option.

The Rockets are in discussions to move the decision date on Fred VanVleet’s player option to the end of June, sources tell @JakeLFischer and me.

Under the original terms, Houston must decide on VanVleet’s $44.9MM team option for 2025-26 this week.

More: https://t.co/WS9KZS9ogv pic.twitter.com/SOoXHpEwTa

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 6, 2025

That means that the Rockets have a choice to make this summer. Given their offensive shortcomings in their recent first round playoff series against the Warriors, it is likely that Houston will be looking into trading for a legit star and potential number one scoring option.

Should they be successful in their hunt, then it could change their approach to VanVleet. The club option for 2025-26 is worth over $44 million, and ranks as the 26th most expensive contract in the NBA for that season. If the Rockets bring in a star that has a high price tag, then they may pass on bringing VanVleet back on that kind of money.

Some Contracts Set To Balloon In 2025-26

Houston has some nice pieces that are still on cost-effective deals for next year. Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are owed less than $10 million each, and Jabari Smith Jr. will cost $12.5 million.

But other contracts are set to balloon. Alperen Sengun will see his salary boost from $5.4 million to $33.9 million in 2025-26, and Jalen Green is owed $33.3 million. If they keep VanVleet around, they will have three players earning north of $30 million, leaving little room for a well-paid veteran to join the squad.

Under the original terms, the Rockets were supposed to be making their decision on VanVleet within the coming days. But the team is discussion an agreement to push the decision back to the end of June, allowing them time to scour the market for potential upgrades before committing.

This article first appeared on Sportscasting and was syndicated with permission.

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