Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet and Dallas Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving are staying put after agreeing to lucrative new contracts, sources told ESPN.
VanVleet, 31, is set to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to remain in Houston, which includes a player option for the 2026-27 season. The Rockets will decline his $44.9 million team option for next season and finalize the new deal with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, VanVleet’s agent. The contract provides Houston with short-term financial flexibility while positioning VanVleet to reenter free agency in 2026, when more teams are expected to have salary cap space.
VanVleet returns to a retooled Rockets roster that recently added 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade, signaling Houston’s push toward contention.
Meanwhile, Irving is declining his $43 million player option and intends to sign a three-year, $119 million deal to stay with the Mavericks. The agreement includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, and Mavericks officials negotiated the deal, which keeps the veteran guard in Dallas and off the free agency market.
Irving, recovering from a torn ACL, told ESPN that his decision reflects a shared commitment to building a legacy in Dallas and his belief in the team’s championship potential.