After scoring 26 points in Game 5 and 29 in Game 6 to help the Rockets force a win-or-go-home game in Houston on Sunday, veteran point guard Fred VanVleet couldn’t push his young team over the top in Game 7. He made another trio of three-pointers and had 17 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Rockets, whose season ended with a 103-89 loss to Golden State.
VanVleet, who signed a three-year, maximum-salary contract with Houston during the 2023 offseason, has a team option worth nearly $44.9MM on that deal for 2025/26. While it remains to be seen whether or not the Rockets intend to exercise that option, post-game comments from head coach Ime Udoka and VanVleet on Sunday made it clear that there’s mutual interest in continuing the relationship.
“I think both sides want to be here and want him here,” Udoka said (Twitter video link via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). “From day one, the importance of him at the point guard position, leading us in a lot of ways and allowing guys to grow at the same time. … He’s a huge part of our growth. Love everything he’s done. Perfect combination of on-ball (and) off-ball for our guards and our young guys to grow. Obviously would love to have him back and I think the feeling’s mutual.”
As Udoka alludes to, the Rockets targeted VanVleet in large part because of his defense, toughness, and championship experience. His offensive numbers since arriving in Houston (15.9 PPG and 6.9 APG on .400/.369/.842 shooting) have been just solid, not spectacular, but he has played a key role in guiding a young team to the next level. The Rockets won no more than 22 games in any of the three years before VanVleet arrived, but have gone 93-71 since signing him.
For his part, VanVleet echoed his head coach’s comments and expressed a desire to remain in Houston in ’25/26 and beyond.
“Obviously, I put my heart and soul into this and this is where I want to be,” VanVleet said (Twitter video link). “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.
“It’s a tough way to lose and end the season, but my mind’s very far away from contract stuff right now. We’ll get to that when it’s time.”
With lucrative new extensions for Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green taking effect this summer, the Rockets would likely prefer to reduce VanVleet’s cap hit. Picking up his option would bring the team’s guaranteed commitments to $176MM+ for nine players next season. The luxury tax line is projected to be at $187.9MM.
Given that context, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Houston declines VanVleet’s $44.9MM option with an understanding that he’d accept a longer-term deal paying him less money in 2025/26 but increasing his overall guarantee across multiple years. 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.
More like mutual interest in finding a new home for Van Vleet after they pick up the option to match salaries easier in a trade for a superstar
I’m with JVV they just lost a tough series. No time to discuss a contract now. Rockets now they have that option. JVV had a very good series. But he didn’t have a very good season. He is not worth that. They can decline his option and sign Giddey. Rockets have options and time to decide.
If they declined all options and cut all non guaranteed contracts the Rockets would have around $13 Million in cap space. That ain’t gonna get them Giddey.
Don’t really know how new cap works. But Rockets salary for next year is 141.5 mill. Thats with FVV 44. 5 mill. Seems to me they can if they decline 44.5 mill JVV.
link to hoopshype.com
Here’s a more precise breakdown of the Rockets cap situation for next season.
link to spotrac.com
My best idea
Give VanVleet 2025-26 contract add 2 years extensions at $25MM each
Give Smith 4-year extension at $120 million
Trade Eason for the this draft pick around 25th pick
Total Rockets salary 2026-27 = $188 million
Reach the luxury tax line\
2027 summer trade away Smith and give Thompson max contract
Huh? That makes no sense. There is no way VanVleet is going to give up a minimum of $40 million dollars.
No way in the world the Bulls let Giddey walk
Game 7 —— The Vets showed up…..
Warriors —-
Buddy — 37 mins, 33 pts…
Jimmy — 45 mins, 20 pts, 8 reb, 7 asterisks …
Dra — 40 mins, 16 pts, 6 Reb, 5 ast …
Steph — 45 mins, 22 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast ….
Rockets —-
FVV — 44 mins, 17 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast
Sengun — 40 mins, 21 pts on 23 shots. 14 reb, 5 ast
Amen — 38 mins, 24 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast and held Curry to 24.3 pts for series. That’s excellent for 2nd year player.
No way I give up Thompson in a trade. I give up Green first. Amen and Sengun are untouchable …..
Are you still on the Green bandwagon?
He still has plenty of time. I’m not a bandwagon type. You think he was lucky to put 36.
He wasn’t lucky to put up 38, that’s what he should be doing as the scorer on the team…He’s just still way too inconsistent. If he figures it out, here or elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised. Also wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t figure it out.
Phoenix doesn’t want to trade Booker, but it’s the smartest thing they could do. Does Jalen Green, Whitmore, one of Tari or Bari and a pick get it done? Underpay? Overpay?
Houston will have to give up assets to get rid of Jalen Green. This is not close to getting them Devin Booker.
The Rockets just lost in the first round. Why would they trade for a known loser like Booker?
I think Van Vleet, and Sengun and maybe Adams are with team next season.
They are stuck on Reed so am sure he is with team.
Thompson is as well
Jabari, Tari, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jalen even though article said is due an extension or something this summer. I really am not totally sold with Jalen up and down with scoring etc that he will still be a Rocket.
Tate even not sure on, Landale, if they are extreme bench.
Curious on the say Extreme bench. I know you bring in these players when a game is out of reach either you are behind or ahead. Why keep the main crew out there but myself are these players that are not full career interested or such or what. LIke Nate William or such and even can’t remember his name but he played a couple games late for Rockets during season and had some great stuff and more. I am sure they are at least playing in the G-League to get at least some work.
Myself I hope do not go and get Durant. That is one that do not want. What Rockets do with Fred if his opt in or out that they have him opt in or do they do a new deal and he opts out. Who could they get. I think we need someone who can shoot threes. I really do not see that in Reed if he should turn into a starter. Plus who will Houston perhaps go after in Draft. Not sure where they will be or have etc. I want the best team and more. I know it is a business but think something was a miss with the playoffs. Some of the losses team just was not in. Plus the low scoring with a couple of the games. But the team can rest now and things. Yes I wished they had gone on. Also wish we could have faced Grizzlies and Oklahoma did GSW. But it is the way the cards fell.
Rockets can only keep 3 of these 5 players by 2027 summer due to luxury tax
VanVleet
Adams
Smith
Eason
Thompson
Highly likely
Rockets will give away Smith in 2026 and Eason in 2025
If HOU intends to compete in the playoffs next season, then they need to bring back FVV (albeit not necessarily for his option salary). He’s their only reliable perimeter player on the offensive end. Their offseason priority should be to add at least one more to that group, not deduct from it. Right now, the offense can only run though FVV (who isn’t a pure PG) or Sengun (who’s still young and sloppy). I don’t see anyone in their rotation capable of joining in with that by next season.