Report: Fred VanVleet, Rockets have ‘mutual interest’ in extension

Report: Fred VanVleet, Rockets have ‘mutual interest’ in extension

Two offseasons ago, the Houston Rockets brought Fred VanVleet in on a three-year deal to help jumpstart this new build around Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun after multiple years of culture-less basketball under head coach Stephen Silas.

Now, the two sides have reported mutual interest in an extension, even though VanVleet isn’t necessarily tasked with being a primary initiator all the time anymore, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

“League sources tell The Stein Line that Houston and Fred VanVleet have mutual interest in prolonging the veteran’s tenure as the starting floor general for Ime Udoka’s Rockets,” Fischer wrote earlier this week. “There’s a team option in VanVleet’s deal for 2025-26 and it sounds as though both sides are motivated to find an agreement that would keep VanVleet in place as the orchestrator of Houston’s offense. The Rockets will have the chance to decline VanVleet’s option and rework a multi-year deal this summer.”

In 44 games, he’s averaging 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.6 turnovers in 35.9 minutes per game. He’s shooting 38.8 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from 3-point range.

VanVleet won’t be eligible for an extension until this upcoming offseason, though this will also be the summer where Sengun and Green’s extensions kick in, making the Rockets more expensive in 2026-27. Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason will be eligible for extensions this offseason while Amen Thompson won’t be extension eligible until 2026-27.

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As of right now, Houston will have $190 million allocated to 11 players next year and $136 million to seven in 2026-27, according to Spotrac. They still have nearly $80 million in tax space for the latter, but what will VanVleet’s asking price be when he’s currently seventh in usage and fifth in box plus-minus?

He owns a $45 million team option next year, but will he be willing to take any pay cut as Houston leans into Amen Thompson as a lead creator more often? Houston is filled with a great young core, so that’s the question that both sides must ask themselves. They will likely have to consolidate a few of their young pieces in the coming seasons, but locking VanVleet into a costly extension as he approaches his early-to-mid 30s could do more harm than good–even though he’s an exceptionally talented point guard.

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