Fred VanVleet Hopes To Be With Rockets For The Long-Term

[RealGM Wiretap]

Fred VanVleet has one more guaranteed season under contract with the Houston Rockets. The team has a $44.9 million option on VanVleet for the 2025-26 season. If the veteran point guard has his way, he'll be in Houston for a long time.

"I didn’t come here to be a rental," VanVleet said. "I didn’t come here to be a free agent (again). I came here for a long-term home. I’ve loved my time here so far. I think I have a good understanding with management and the coaches about what the future looks like with this team. The business will always take care of itself. I don’t really get too concerned with that stuff. That stuff will work itself out. But I think my family and I will be in Texas. I came here for a home, and I think I found one."

VanVleet is also relishing helping a young team grow into a playoff contender. He uses his experience as an undrafted player to mentor his younger teammates.

"Every last one of them, I have a great relationship with all the guys," VanVleet said. "There’s a lot more of us than there is … stars in the league. The rest of the guys are trying to figure it out. I can always relate to those guys. I always tell the story I was a side-hoop guy. I was the guy shooting on the side with no coaches. I was rebounding with myself. I always keep that in mind."

Via Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

[beefymajesto]

I don't see this working out for Freddy, just enjoy the paycheck this year.

[MitchB3]

He wants to do the Kyle Lowry move.

[Knicks365247]

Zero chance the Rockets pick up his option. His statement reeks of desperation.

[PoundTown]

He wants to do the Kyle Lowry move.

Not too many Kyle lowrys around, but Kyle would definitely endorse freddy. Couple guys that got every ounce of potential out of their bodies possible. Raptors legends.

Fred signed a contract too big, so most likely he doesn’t get resigned. I’m betting on the magic signing him. 3 years 80 mil.

[beefman]

Zero chance the Rockets pick up his option. His statement reeks of desperation.

why? they signed him to a big contract so the team wants him

[beefman]

I don't see this working out for Freddy, just enjoy the paycheck this year.

why not?

[Rek]

Zero chance the Rockets pick up his option. His statement reeks of desperation.

why? they signed him to a big contract so the team wants him

Unfortunately for him, they drafted his replacement and the kid is looking beyond ready for the big stage.

Fred is a good player, and I think many teams would like to have him in their rotation. But not at his current salary.

Houston had to spend big for veterans to fast-track their rebuild, and he was one of the CBA lotto winners poised to be that guy.

Nothing wrong with that. He took the money while it was there. Any player would.

The result is he's the 20th highest-paid player in the league and generally speaking, he isn't regarded as a top-20 talent.

There's not a single other player in the top 40 of salaries that allowed their final season to be a team option. Fred knows what he signed up for regardless of what he says publicly about the long term.

Assuming that Sheppard stays healthy while continuing to grow his game, they'll need to use FVV's money for other roster needs to take advantage of Reed's cost-controlled rookie scale contract.

[gavran]

Just like every player ever. For a while.

[HaydukesRedux]

Desperation?

He's a 17,4, and 8 guy who said the right thing. He knows he's not retiring in Houston and was asked a question so he gave the "good vet" answer. What was he supposed to do? Whine about losing?

Zero chance the Rockets pick up his option. His statement reeks of desperation.

[HaydukesRedux]

That's not a thing.

He wants to do the Kyle Lowry move.

Fred signed a contract too big, so most likely he doesn’t get resigned.