The Houston Rockets are trying to keep the rest of the band together after their trade for Kevin Durant.
As reported by NBA insider Marc Stein, there is a "strong expectation" that Houston and point guard Fred VanVleet will come to an agreement on a new, multi-year contract once free agency begins next week. The Athletic's Kelly Iko added that the team is likely to decline his $44.9 million team option in order to do so.
After a seven-year career with the Toronto Raptors, VanVleet signed with the Rockets on a 3 year, $128.5 million contract in the summer of 2023. He's since averaged 15.9 points per game and 6.8 assists per game in 133 regular-season starts and helped Houston earn the Western Conference's No. 2 seed in the 2025 NBA playoffs. The 31-year-old is a one-time All-Star (2022) and a one-time NBA champion ('19).
VanVleet will likely start at point guard in a revamped Rockets starting lineup which by all accounts will include Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Rockets, Fred VanVleet Expected to Agree on New Contract Ahead of Free Agency.
