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3w ago

Fred VanVleet Opts Into $25 Million Rockets Contract

The choice secures Houston’s veteran point guard for 2026–27 while sharply increasing the team’s salary-cap overage risk.

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May 2, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) reacts after making a three-point basket against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of game six of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8), Image 2 shows Fred VanVleet, #23 of the Toronto Raptors, reacts after hitting a three-point shot

Overview

  • Fred VanVleet, who exercised his $25 million player option Monday, is under contract for the 2026–27 season and will be an unrestricted free agent the following summer.
  • VanVleet missed the entire 2025–26 season recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus suffered in an offseason workout in the Bahamas and his health will be central to Houston’s hopes next year.
  • Spotrac’s salary data shows the Rockets are already deeply over the cap, and VanVleet’s option adds to that pressure and raises the chance the team enters the tougher second luxury-tax apron.
  • With VanVleet’s decision finalized, Houston’s near-term roster priorities shift to negotiating with restricted free agent Tari Eason and deciding on the $2.6 million team option for guard JD Davison.
  • VanVleet’s last full season (2024–25) showed his value as a floor general and 3-point threat, and a healthy return could restore Houston’s backcourt stability and affect its contention outlook next season.