Fred VanVleet Widely Expected to Sign With Rockets in Free Agency, per Report

The Toronto Raptors are widely expected to lose Fred VanVleet to the Houston Rockets when free agency begins Friday night

All Raptors Staff | Jun 29, 2023

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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All indications are Fred VanVleet will be heading to the Houston Rockets next season.

While official free agent communication isn’t allowed to start until 6 p.m. ET Friday night, those around the league say it would be a legitimate surprise if VanVleet doesn’t strike a deal with the Rockets when free agency begins, according to Marc Stein of Substack. Both he and Canadian Dillon Brooks are widely expected to agree to terms with Houston.

The Toronto Raptors are said to still be hopeful VanVleet will be back with the team next season and have been adamant that their goal is to re-sign the 29-year-old point guard. Toronto, however, is dealing with luxury tax issues that will make it difficult for the organization to overwhelm VanVleet with a godfather-like offer.

Houston has over $60 million in cap space this summer, the most in the NBA, and is believed to be preparing a max contract offer of $83.6 million over two seasons for VanVleet, per Stein.

While Toronto could, in theory, match that offer and sign VanVleet to more money and more years than anyone else, the Raptors would be unable to sign both VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl while remaining under the luxury tax without making a significant cost-saving trade.

VanVleet will head into free agency having opted out of his $22.8 million player option for next season.

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