Fred VanVleet Gifts Houston Rockets Teammates Gift Bags With Hidden Agenda

Before leaving for Lake Charles, Fred VanVleet had something special in store for his new teammates.

Fred VanVleet has already taken the steps as the veteran leader of the Houston Rockets.

Before the team left for training camp in Lake Charles, VanVleet blessed his teammates with large gift bags placed inside their lockers of the Toyota Center. Each player showed excitement as they pulled out VanVleet's gifts, ranging from beat headphones to team-style Crocs.

But outside of the astonishing gifts, VanVleet placed the book, "Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love with the Process of Becoming Great,” by Joshua Medcalf, as a hidden agenda for his teammates.

“For the journey ahead. One step at a time.”

🤝 @FredVanVleet pic.twitter.com/zaSOCbtfRV

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 4, 2023

"It was a welcome kit, something to get us going as we take this trip, coming down here for camp,” VanVleet said. "I remember what that felt like being young, my first couple years in the league, just being excited for the beginning of the season. 

"Just getting with my team and figuring out how we can do something that will bind us together. I really want them to read the book. You have to sprinkle some candy in there, so they’ll take the medicine." 

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) poses for a picture at Rockets media day at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA Today Sports

VanVleet signed a three-year max contract worth $128.5 million. The addition of VanVleet improves Houston's play at the guard position. He will take the helm as the Rockets' starting point guard.

But before playing a minute during the 2023-24 season, the Rockets have already begun reaping the benefits of signing VanVleet.

His on-court experience as a seven-year veteran is enough to help the Rockets lay the groundwork for a successful start to phase II of their rebuilding project. But VanVleet's locker room presence for a young team will be more prominent.

VanVleet began his career with the Toronto Raptors in 2016 after going undrafted. He became an All-Star in 2022. But his most significant role came in 2019 when he helped the Raptors win their first and only NBA championship.

The 6-foot guard has averaged 14.6 points on 40.2 percent shooting from the field, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals across 417 career games.

He helped the Raptors sweep the Rockets during their two-game regular season series in 2022-23. He averaged 32.0 points on .458/.444/.889 shooting splits.