Fred VanVleet makes $25 million Rockets decision as NBA free agency looms

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The Rockets guard is opting into his $25 million player option for the 2026-27 season, according to according to multiple reports.

The Wichita State product signed a two-year, $50 million contract last summer to stay with Houston, but VanVleet missed the entire season with a torn ACL during the unofficial team minicamp before training camp.

Without VanVleet, the Rockets went 52-30 and made the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, but the lack of a prominent ball-handler led to a first-round loss to the Lakers.

“I know I add value. I know what I bring to the table, and I know that we will be a better team with me on the team,” VanVleet said on his YouTube channel. “That has been the case for me on every team I’ve ever been on. I’m going to make the team better just by virtue of me being available, being around, and bringing my energy, before you even get to the game.”

During his last available season, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in his worst season statistically since 2018-19.

VanVleet joined the team in 2023-24 thanks to a three-year, $130-million deal, after spending seven seasons with the Raptors.

The Rockets added depth at the guard position in the 2026 NBA Draft, moving up to draft Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton.

He averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during his senior season and brings plenty of experience from Columbus, Ohio, after four years of college basketball.

Houston likely is not done this offseason, as they will continue to attempt to remedy having the least bench scoring in the NBA last season with just 27.6 points per game.