Report: Rockets, Fred VanVleet extend deal deadline

The Houston Rockets and guard Fred VanVleet are pushing back Friday's deadline for the $44.9 million team option in his contract, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The two sides now have until June 29 to decide whether to exercise the 2025-26 option or perhaps negotiate a longer-term deal, per the report.

VanVleet, 31, has played the past two seasons in Houston following seven seasons in Toronto, where he captured an NBA title in 2018-19 and made the All-Star team in 2021-22.

VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 60 games (all starts) for the Rockets this season. He finished third on the team with 159 3-point buckets as Houston ended a four-year playoff drought.

Undrafted in 2016 out of Wichita State, VanVleet has averaged 14.9 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 550 career games (401 starts).