Fred VanVleet Could Enter Final Season With Rockets

The Houston Rockets could opt out of their contract with Fred VanVleet at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Oct 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Oct 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images / Erik Williams-Imagn Images
In this story:

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet was a massive part of the team's success last season, going from one of the league's worst teams to .500.

However, the 2024-25 season could mark the end of VanVleet's tenure in Houston as the point guard has a team option in his contract for next season.

VanVleet hopes that the option is accepted or a long-term deal comes next.

"I didn’t come here to be a rental," VanVleet said via Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan Feigen. "I didn’t come here to be a free agent [again]. I came here for a long-term home. I’ve loved my time here so far. I think I have a good understanding with management and the coaches about what the future looks like with this team. The business will always take care of itself. I don’t really get too concerned with that stuff. That stuff will work itself out. But I think my family and I will be in Texas. I came here for a home, and I think I found one."

VanVleet should be a no-brainer to stay based off last season. He averaged 15 points and 5.7 assists per game, becoming a point guard that could set his teammates up for success.

The only thing holding VanVleet back from a long-term deal is timing. Both Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are free agents at the end of the season, and each of them should be getting long-term extensions. If VanVleet's contract is added into the mix, the Rockets will be spending a lot of money on a team that has yet to make the playoffs.

With that, there is a lot riding on this season for VanVleet and the Rockets, and it could result in even newer heights for both sides.

Want to join the discussion? Like Rockets on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.


Published
Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.