The Houston Rockets' vision for their 2025-26 roster is quickly taking shape ahead of Wednesday night's NBA draft.
Houston flipped pricey young shooting guard Jalen Green, All-Defensive Team small forward Dillon Brooks, its No. 10 lottery pick in the draft, and five second rounders to the Phoenix Suns to obtain malcontent superstar forward Kevin Durant.
Now joining a massive Rockets frontline that includes incumbent starting power forward Jabari Smith Jr. and All-Star center Alperen Sengun, Durant is anticipated to slot in as Houston's Brooks replacement at the three spot.
The 15-time All-Star is still one of the NBA's most lethal scorers on all three levels, and a major mismatch for virtually all opposing defenses. His addition signals a clear aim for the Rockets to truly compete for their first championship since 1995.
Durant joins a Rockets team angling to take the next level, following an encouraging 52-30 season finish in 2024-25 that ended with a seven-game first round defeat to an old Durant team, the Golden State Warriors.
Now, another critical veteran starter on Houston has reportedly re-affirmed his investment in the team moving forward.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) points during the first quarter of game four.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) points during the first quarter of game four.
© Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Rockets have declined their $44.9 million team option for starting point guard Fred VanVleet, a one-time All-Star and NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors.
The Wichita State product is now locked in as Houston's point guard of the future — at least, in the short-term.
Now, the Rockets are inking the 6-footer to a new two-year, $50 million deal. It represents a far more affordable figure for Houston as the club looks to build out its roster this summer.
The agreement includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, Charania adds.
Across 60 healthy games for the 52-30 Rockets last year, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points on .378/.345/.810 shooting splits, 5.6 assists, and 3.7 boards.
Per Keith Smith of Spotrac, this massive discount for VanVleet will allow the Rockets to have a shot at signing someone with the full non-taxpayer's mid-level exception this offseason. That deal is said to be worth $14.1 million annually.
Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron reveals that the deal helps Houston duck the league's repeater tax by allowing the team to get below the luxury tax apron this summer.
Bringing back a savvy veteran like VanVleet, at such a discount, is a boon for a Houston squad looking to contend in the chippy West next spring.