Rockets lock in key contributor to bolster 2025-26 championship outlook

The Houston Rockets and point guard Fred VanVleet agreed to a two-year extension on Wednesday, keeping a valuable piece in place ahead of a championship-or-bust 2025-26 season.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Rockets declined VanVleet's $44.9 million team option for a much more favorable two-year, $50 million contract, which includes a 2026-27 player option.

"VanVleet's new deal gives the Rockets flexibility over the next year and gives him the opportunity to enter the 2026 free agency market where there will be more salary cap space for teams," Charania wrote.

Despite coming off a poor shooting season (even by his standards), VanVleet has been an indispensable veteran for the Rockets as they've risen from the West's cellar to title contender.

In 2024-25, VanVleet shot 37.8 percent, including 34.5 percent from three-point range. Both were the second-worst marks of his nine NBA seasons. For his career, VanVleet has a 40.1 shooting percentage.

He finished second on the team in field-goal attempts last season. This upcoming season, VanVleet could potentially find himself in a role closer to the one he filled when winning an NBA championship in 2018-19 with the Toronto Raptors.

That season, he ranked fifth on the team in field-goal attempts (9.4 per game) in a primarily backup role. While he'll remain a starter for the Rockets, Sunday's blockbuster trade for 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, plus forward Amen Thompson's continued ascendancy, should make him less of an offensive focus in 2025-26.

As a strong perimeter defender, he'll still be able to leave his mark. Per Stathead, since 2019-20, only New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray has more steals (636) than VanVleet (616).

While Durant was a massive addition, the Rockets have prioritized continuity with their other recent transactions.

On June 14, the team extended center Steven Adams on a three-year, $39 million deal. Five days later, the Rockets and head coach Ime Udoka agreed to an extension.

After going 52-30 and finishing second in the West last season, Houston isn't far off from threatening the Oklahoma City Thunder as the conference's best. VanVleet's contract is another wise move for a team that appears poised to continue its upward trajectory in 2025-26.