After a breakout campaign for the young core and a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets are hoping to keep one of their veteran leaders around for the long haul.
The Houston Rockets are likely to decline the $44.9 million team option on guard Fred VanVleet and instead work toward a new multi-year extension, The Athletic's Kelly Iko reported Monday.
Perhaps the surprise of the year, the Rockets soared to a 52-30 record and the second seed in the Western Conference on the back of emerging players like Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, and a patented hard-nosed defence.
Steering the ship from the point guard spot was VanVleet, who averaged 14.4 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 37.8 per cent from the field and 34.5 per cent from three-point range.
Though they eventually lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in seven games, VanVleet stepped up when the lights were bright, averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.0 per cent from the field and 43.5 per cent from deep. He also led the team in minutes, averaging 40.0 a night.
The Rockets will now also be able to turn to Durant as a veteran leader after swinging a deal with the Phoenix Suns for the 15-time All-Star on Sunday. They traded away guard Jalen Green, wing Dillon Brooks, along with a 2025 first-rounder and five second-round picks.
The second-oldest player on the roster, the Rockets signed the former Raptor to a three-year, $128.5 million contract in free agency ahead of the 2023-24 season.
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