Fred VanVleet on His Future With Rockets After This Season

The Houston Rockets dropped a massive three-year contract on Fred VanVleet in free agency in the summer of 2023, but after this season, the third year is a team option, at $44.9 million.

Is Mr. Bet On Himself betting on a long-term stay in Houston?

I didn’t come here to be a rental. 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, an NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, posted a solid first season with the Rockets, handing out a career-high 8.1 assists, while scoring at his relatively typical 17.4 points per game, shooting 38.7% from long distance, adding 1.4 steals and 3.8 rebounds, while playing his usual stout defense.

As an undrafted, undersized guard, VanVleet has another role on this Rockets team, acting as a mentor for all the youngsters, and showing them what hard work can accomplish.

The Rockets didn't get to where they were hoping last season, finishing well out of the playoffs, in 11th spot in the Western Conference. But their 41-41 mark was a massive 19-game improvement on the previous season and multiple years of last-place finishes.

Despite the improvement, if they don't make it to the postseason this year, the Rockets will be seriously looking at some big changes, as head coach Ime Udoka won't have a lot of patience for another non-playoff showing. Will they commit to keeping VanVleet? He certainly hopes so.