Fred VanVleet is a big part of the Rockets current success, but will he see this team through to the end of it’s ultimate goal?
As the Houston Rockets are jockeying for position in the West, they have benefited greatly from the depth that we all perceived to be a “problem” at the beginning of the season, but also as a “good problem to have.”
The Rockets went on an impressive run in the time that Jabari Smith was initially injured thanks to Amen Thompson going on a tear as a starter. When Fred VanVleet went down with his ankle injury, the team certainly missed his presence on the floor, but as it stands today, the Rockets are 5-5 in their last 10 and coming off back-to-back wins.
Fred’s return is surely welcome, in hopes the Rockets can get back to the higher winning clip they saw early this season, but what about moving forward into next season? A report from January by NBC Sports stated that according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, the Rockets and VanVleet have mutual interest in a longer-term contract. This was even before De’Aaron Fox landed in San Antonio and rumors were spreading about the Rockets inquiring about trades for him. Clearly the Rockets like what VanVleet has brought to this young team as a vet teaching this young core to win, but should he be in the long-term plan for the Rockets?
Fred VanVleet turned 31 just a few days ago, and when he signed his three-year $128-million contract in 2023, the consensus among most was that the Rockets overpaid for him, but also that it made sense to overpay given all the young talent on their team at the time were still on rookie deals. The same with the Dillon Brooks contract of four years and $86 million. Once it was revealed that VanVleet’s contract had a club option for the third year, it made a lot more sense. The Rockets can opt out of the final year of Fred’s deal and negotiate more years. The question is, should they?
The answer for me is simply, “What’s the number?” Will Fred be making $50-$55 million a year? If that’s the ask and I’m Rafael Stone, I would thank Fred VanVleet for his time as a Rocket and spend a fraction of that money on a really nice tribute video for when he returns with his new team. There is just no way to justify paying him that much money. Not for his production on the floor.
Consider for instance that Malcom Brogdan, who is a free agent after this season, has very similar career numbers as Fred VanVleet, and makes half of what VanVleet makes annually. Although it shouldn’t be ignored that Brogdan is having one of his worst seasons statistically this season, it also shouldn’t be ignored that he’s playing for the Wizards. No one should hold that against him. His last season in Portland, his stats were very Fred VanVleet-ish. I imagine he made a call to his agent immediately upon seeing what VanVleet was given.
The point I’m trying to make is I’m on board with bringing VanVleet back for the right price, and the right price isn’t anything close to what he is making now. Especially now that Sengun and Jalen Green are making more money and the team will have to make a decision about Jabari Smith Jr. soon.
I appreciate everything Fred VanVleet has done for this team just as much as I’m sure most of you do and as much as I’m sure the Rockets do. I hope Fred VanVleet appreciates the Rockets and the city of Houston enough to acknowledge that he made a lot of money here, more than he would have made anywhere else, and take that “hometown” discount. Otherwise, thanks for everything, Fred!