Add veteran guard Fred VanVleet to the list of players who will not hit the open free-agent market.
The Houston Rockets will not pick up the final season of a three-year, $128.5 million contract VanVleet signed in 2023. However, the VanVleet plans to sign a two-year, $50 million deal to remain with the Rockets, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the agreement.
VanVleet has a player option and can become a free agent following the 2025-26 season. Houston’s decision to not pick up $44.8 million remaining on VanVleet’s contract and renegotiate a new deal gives the Rockets, who reached a deal to acquire Kevin Durant late last week, salary cap flexibility for additional roster moves.
Houston values what VanVleet brings on and off the court. A 2019 NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 2024-25.