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Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Rockets and veteran point guard Fred VanVleet have mutually agreed to push back the deadline for Houston to decide on his $44.9-million team option for the 2025-26 season.
The deadline was originally this Friday, May 9, but it has been pushed back to June 29. “This gives both sides additional time to navigate exercising the option versus completing a longer term deal,” Charania reports.
June 29 is the deadline date for a majority of team or player options across the league, since each year’s free agency window opens on the evening of June 30. Thus, that June 29 date provides the maximum time possible to negotiate and/or make a decision prior to the start of a new fiscal year.
In this case, all indications are that VanVleet wants to remain with the Rockets, and the team wants to retain him in his starting role. The question is simply the terms.
Now 31 years old, VanVleet could get additional years of guaranteed money by negotiating a new contract with the Rockets. From the team’s perspective, offering additional guaranteed years could incentivize VanVleet to consider a reduced annual value, which could provide Houston with additional space (relative to the NBA’s tax thresholds) to help fill out the rest of its roster.
As one example, the Rockets would love to re-sign veteran center Steven Adams, and having VanVleet on the books at a lower figure in 2025-26 could perhaps free up additional resources for Adams.
For both sides, however, there is the question of how much they should give in the negotiation. From VanVleet’s perspective, how much of a reduction in annual value is he willing to give in exchange for more guaranteed years and avoiding the uncertainty of waiting until 2026? From Houston’s perspective, how many additional years are they comfortable giving to a 31-year-old point guard?
Delaying the date until June 29 gives all parties more time to think through their options and negotiate carefully, as opposed to a rushed decision coming within five days of the conclusion of Houston’s 2025 playoff run.
VanVleet was excellent in the 2025 postseason, averaging 18.7 points (43.5% on 3-pointers), 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds across seven games against the Golden State Warriors. His true-shooting percentage was a robust 63.2%.
More: Despite contractual uncertainty, it appears Fred VanVleet is staying put in Houston
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets, Fred VanVleet delay deadline for 2025-26 contract decision
Continue reading...
The deadline was originally this Friday, May 9, but it has been pushed back to June 29. “This gives both sides additional time to navigate exercising the option versus completing a longer term deal,” Charania reports.
June 29 is the deadline date for a majority of team or player options across the league, since each year’s free agency window opens on the evening of June 30. Thus, that June 29 date provides the maximum time possible to negotiate and/or make a decision prior to the start of a new fiscal year.
In this case, all indications are that VanVleet wants to remain with the Rockets, and the team wants to retain him in his starting role. The question is simply the terms.
Now 31 years old, VanVleet could get additional years of guaranteed money by negotiating a new contract with the Rockets. From the team’s perspective, offering additional guaranteed years could incentivize VanVleet to consider a reduced annual value, which could provide Houston with additional space (relative to the NBA’s tax thresholds) to help fill out the rest of its roster.
As one example, the Rockets would love to re-sign veteran center Steven Adams, and having VanVleet on the books at a lower figure in 2025-26 could perhaps free up additional resources for Adams.
For both sides, however, there is the question of how much they should give in the negotiation. From VanVleet’s perspective, how much of a reduction in annual value is he willing to give in exchange for more guaranteed years and avoiding the uncertainty of waiting until 2026? From Houston’s perspective, how many additional years are they comfortable giving to a 31-year-old point guard?
Delaying the date until June 29 gives all parties more time to think through their options and negotiate carefully, as opposed to a rushed decision coming within five days of the conclusion of Houston’s 2025 playoff run.
VanVleet was excellent in the 2025 postseason, averaging 18.7 points (43.5% on 3-pointers), 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds across seven games against the Golden State Warriors. His true-shooting percentage was a robust 63.2%.
More: Despite contractual uncertainty, it appears Fred VanVleet is staying put in Houston
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets, Fred VanVleet delay deadline for 2025-26 contract decision
Continue reading...
