The Rockets are looking to buy more time to decide what to do with Fred VanVleet‘s contract.
They hold a $44,886,930 club option on VanVleet’s contract for next season and a decision is currently due on Friday, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer (Twitter link), Houston’s management is currently in discussions with VanVleet’s representatives to delay that decision until the end of June, just prior to free agency.
It was reported on Monday that the Rockets and VanVleet had mutual interest in continuing their relationship.
“Obviously, I put my heart and soul into this and this is where I want to be,” VanVleet said. “It’s definitely a family situation. I’ve got a lot of love for our coaching staff and (general manager) Rafael (Stone) and the Fertitta family and just what we set out to do when I had my free agent meeting two years ago and we’re on that track. It was never a short-term vision — it was a long-term goal. We’re on track, we’re on schedule.”
However, VanVleet’s salary number is a huge hit on the books for a team looking to improve the roster after getting bounced in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs by Golden State. The Rockets could decline the option, then negotiate a multi-year deal at a lesser salary. If Houston declines the option, VanVleet will be an unrestricted free agent but the Rockets would hold Early Bird rights .
Alternatively, if the Rockets decide they’re comfortable with that $44.9MM cap charge next season, they could also exercise the option and explore a more team-friendly extension that begins in ’26/27.
Or they are considering trading for a high salary superstar and want to use his contract to match. That is the only way he is getting $45M next year.
What is the actual bi-law rule concerning this situation on the books? Any info on stipulations ect…
Do they agree on a later date that becomes contractual on paper? …cant imagine they are able to just prolong this deeep into the summer..
Maybe they are waiting to see where land in the draft lottery. They are currently at #9.
The Houston Rockets must decide on Fred VanVleet’s team option by the end of June. Originally, the deadline was this week, but the team is reportedly in discussions to move it to late June. This option is for $44.9 million and will be a crucial part of Houston’s offseason planning, according to Bleacher Report.
It’s times like these you wonder who is holding the cards…who is “setting the narrative”…Silver has been there all along. I think he’s doing a great job.
Uhh…What narrative?
JVV had a good series vs Warriors. He didn’t have a good season. He is not worth 44 mill to this team imo. I would sign him for less for three more yrs. Or I just go and sign Giddey. Decline the option. You can give Giddey a big first yr on three yr contract. Rockets have a great pick coming. Can draft a PG or Queen if he is there. Or even a shooter. Rockets are sitting pretty right now. What I would do is explore the market for Green….
They won’t have cap room to sign Giddey. The Bulls want to keep Giddey. 1+ an option for FVV. He can decline it after next season when they have full Bird Rights.
Sign and trade… they want Harden back
$45 million for a 15 ppg guy with a .483 eFG% and little else. I’ll echo everyone else when I say that they only do this if they’re trying to trade him. Maybe try to bring him back at a greatly reduced rate but $45 million is about twice what he deserves.
It is the final year of 3 year/$128 million contract he signed in 2023.
Article above says club option.
Just pointing out this year’s stats are not a big drop off from when he originally signed his contract. The Rockets were comfortable with $45 million. His new contract will probably be at a reduced rate. But, probably not half of what he originally signed for.
Offer him $15m. Then dump Alpert “Not Jokic” Sengun, Green and Ime and you might have a team that doesn’t choke come playoffs.