Fred VanVleet decision will make Rockets' offseason plans crystal clear

It's going to be a big offseason for the Houston Rockets, and what they end up doing with Fred VanVleet is going to dictate a lot of what moves they make after that. As of right now, VanVleet will have a $44.8 million team option for next season, and the team is going to have to get him back on a cheaper deal.

That's something the Rockets simply can't afford to agree to if they expect to be able to continue upgrading this roster while thinking about maintaining future flexibility as well. That's why I see working out a re-structured deal for FVV that gives the team more wiggle room going forward as the most important move of Houston's entire offseason.

As Sam Vecenie recently reported, a three-year, $100 million extension could be a good middle ground if the Rockets are to propose a new deal to VanVleet. This kind of contract would lower Fred's annual salary from almost $45 million down to around $33 million.

What this would do is open the door for Houston to avoid the effects of the first and second tax aprons so that they can continue building the roster out in other ways. A $12 million per year difference may not sound like a huge difference-maker, but in this case it could be enough extra space for the Rockets to add another legitimate rotation player.

Rockets getting VanVleet back on a discount is the best move

If we think about what Fred VanVleet means to this Rockets team, it's pretty hard to overstate. Over the course of the last two seasons, he's brought a kind of on and off-court leadership that you simply don't get with every seasoned player. Keeping him around would be massive for Houston's young talent and their continued growth.

At the same time, allowing Fred to remain on this roster at his current pay grade would be nearly as big a mistake as sending him elsewhere. If the Rockets want to continue being seen as a legitimate threat in the Western Conference, they simply have to create more flexibility for themselves.

What getting VanVleet back on a more affordable deal would do is allow Houston to move forward and prove that their 2024-25 season was not an anamoly, and that they are far from simply a one-hit wonder. With the right blend of veterans and young talent, this roster has what it takes to compete in the playoffs.

There's always the risks that come with extending a player who's already getting a little further up there in age like Fred VanVleet. But in this case, the benefits far outweigh the risks.