On June 11, Sam Vecenie, a senior reporter from The Athletic, revealed in a basketball podcast that the NBA Houston Rockets are planning to complete the contract extension with main guard Fred VanVleet in advance during the summer offseason. According to reports, the Rockets are expected to offer him a three-year contract with a total value of between $90 million and $100 million.

According to reports, the Rockets' move is not only out of consideration for renewing VanVleet's contract, but also to reserve space for subsequent operations, especially the renewal of center Steven Adams. The Rockets' lineup is obviously younger, and retaining experienced veterans is the key to strengthening. Reporters pointed out that if VanVleet accepts the new contract, his annual salary structure will decrease, thereby releasing some salary space to match Adams' possible middle-class contract in the future.

Adams' current contract will expire this summer, and the Rockets hope to keep him with a three-year contract with a starting salary of about $14.1 million and a total value of between $42 million and $45 million. According to the current labor agreement, this will fall within the scope of a full mid-level contract. Therefore, the Rockets are seeking to achieve this goal by rearranging VanVleet's salary structure.

Sources pointed out that VanVleet himself is open to a pay cut, provided he can get a longer-term, more secure contract. He currently holds a player option worth $44.9 million for the 2025-26 season . If he chooses to opt out of the contract and re-sign a long-term contract with the team, although the average salary will drop, the total amount will be more attractive, which is a strategic operation of " risk for stability " for both parties .

It is worth noting that VanVleet and Adams are both 31 years old . The three-year contract extension will be a crucial step in the career of the two players. VanVleet plays a core control role in the Rockets this season. During the playoffs, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, and his shooting percentage was 43% . Although his shooting percentage is average, his rich experience and leadership are still an indispensable part of the young Rockets.

Overall, the Rockets management intends to achieve a win-win situation by adjusting the salary structure: retaining the team's main lineup while leaving enough space for subsequent reinforcements. If VanVleet successfully renews his contract and releases enough space, the Rockets will be able to further strengthen the outside or forward line after Adams' contract renewal is completed, thereby improving overall competitiveness.