Rockets Declining Fred VanVleet Option, Re-Signing Guard To Two-Year Deal

The Houston Rockets are declining Fred VanVleet’s $44.9 million player option and re-signing the veteran guard to a two-year, $50 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option for the 2026–27 season.

VanVleet appeared in 60 games last season for Houston, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 37.8% from the field, 34.5% from three-point range and 81% from the free throw line.

Houston signed VanVleet in 2023 in hopes of adding veteran stability to a young, promising roster. Alongside additions such as Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and coach Ime Udoka, the move paid off. The Rockets posted a 41–41 record and remained in postseason contention deep into the regular season.

The club took a significant step forward in 2024–25, finishing 52–30 and securing the second-best record in the Western Conference before falling to the Golden State Warriors in a tightly contested first-round playoff series.

Now, Houston has fully entered win-now mode after landing 15-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade that sent Brooks, former Jalen Green, the 10th overall pick and five second-rounders to Phoenix.

By restructuring VanVleet’s deal, Houston creates additional financial flexibility for further roster moves as it looks to cement itself as a championship contender in the 2025–26 season.

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