Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has agreed to a new two-year, $50 million contract to remain with the franchise, sources close to the situation confirmed to ESPN on June 25, 2025. The deal includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, providing both the team and the veteran guard with significant flexibility for the future.
The agreement comes after the Rockets opted to decline VanVleet’s $44.9 million team option for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This strategic move, orchestrated with VanVleet’s representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, allows the Rockets to manage their salary cap more effectively in the short term while giving VanVleet the opportunity to re-enter the free agency market in 2026, when more salary cap space is projected across the league. Both parties expressed a mutual belief in a long-term partnership extending beyond the new two-year commitment.
VanVleet’s re-signing is the latest in a series of aggressive offseason moves by the Rockets, signaling their intent to build a formidable contender in the Western Conference. The team recently made headlines with a blockbuster trade for 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, further bolstering a roster that also saw center Steven Adams sign a three-year, $39 million extension and coach Ime Udoka ink a long-term extension in recent weeks. These moves underscore Houston’s commitment to transforming from a lottery team into a consistent playoff threat.
The 31-year-old VanVleet, a one-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, has been instrumental in the Rockets’ remarkable turnaround since joining the team in the summer of 2023. In his first season, he helped Houston improve from a mere 22 wins to 41. This past season (2024-25), the Rockets continued their ascent, securing an impressive 52 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, ending a four-year postseason drought. His leadership and on-court presence have been pivotal in guiding the young Rockets squad.
During the 2024-25 regular season, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. While his scoring average was his lowest since the 2018-19 season, his impact extended beyond raw numbers. He is known for his hard-nosed defense, playmaking abilities, and volume 3-point shooting, ranking second on the team with 7.7 three-point attempts per game. Despite sometimes struggling with efficiency, shooting below 40% from the field for the fourth time in his career in 2024-25, his overall contribution remained significant.
VanVleet’s performance in the 2025 NBA Playoffs further highlighted his value. Although the Rockets were ultimately ousted in a tough seven-game first-round series by the Golden State Warriors, VanVleet elevated his game, averaging 18.7 points in the postseason. Notably, in the last four games of the series, he averaged an impressive 24.3 points on 56% shooting from the field and a scorching 64% from beyond the arc, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure. He also tied a Rockets franchise playoff record by making 8 three-pointers in Game 4 of that series, a record shared with Jalen Green, Matt Maloney, and Chris Paul.
Throughout his nine-year NBA career, VanVleet has averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 assists. Beyond his offensive contributions, he holds a unique NBA record for single-season blocked shots by a player listed at 6 feet 0 inches or less, showcasing his defensive tenacity and knack for deflecting shots before they reach the shoulder level. His continued presence is expected to provide stability and veteran leadership as the Rockets aim to build on their recent success and contend for an NBA championship in the coming seasons.
