, Fred VanVleet has decided to reach a new two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets. Compared with the previous team option, the new contract includes a key clause: the second year is a player option, which not only shows the Rockets' respect for VanVleet, but also wins him greater personal initiative.

The news pointed out that the Rockets have decided not to exercise the team option worth up to $44.9 million in the 2025-26 season in VanVleet's original contract, but to renegotiate and finalize the new contract on the premise that he is willing to reduce his salary by about $20 million. This contract extension not only frees up more salary space for the team, but also opens a flexible window for subsequent signings.

According to analysis by local Houston media such as ClutchFans, the new contract structure adjustment allows the Rockets to use a full mid-level exception worth $14.1 million during the offseason. This freed-up space is likely to be used to strengthen key rotation players and enhance overall competitiveness. For VanVleet himself, the second-year player option in the contract gives him the opportunity to re-evaluate the market and his role during the 2026 offseason.

In the just-concluded 2024-25 season, VanVleet played 60 regular season games for the Rockets, averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, and is still the stable engine of the team's backcourt. Although his data has declined compared to his peak period, his stable performance on both offense and defense and his leadership role in the locker room are still the key points that the Rockets coaching staff and management attach great importance to.

According to ESPN and The Athletic , VanVleet's salary cut shows his recognition of the Rockets' long-term plan to a certain extent, and will also help optimize the development environment for young core players such as Jalen Green and Amen Thompson. In addition, people familiar with the matter revealed that VanVleet has no intention of taking the initiative to opt out in the contract year, which means he is likely to continue to wear the Rockets jersey for the next two seasons.

With the completion of this contract extension, the Rockets' operating space in the offseason is further released, and the team is expected to make more targeted reinforcements around the existing core and restart the playoff competition journey. For VanVleet himself, this new contract not only means trust and reward, but may also become a new turning point in his later career.