NEWSLETTER
Fred VanVleet is headed to the Houston Rockets.
Increasingly tied to the franchise over the past couple of weeks, the Rockets made clear that VanVleet would be their primary target when free agency opened up. While the Toronto Raptors reportedly wanted to bring back VanVleet, the Rockets ensured that wasn’t possible with a jaw-dropping contract offer.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets have handed Fred VanVleet a three-year max deal worth $130 million.
Previous reports stated that Houston could extend VanVleet a two-year, $85 million deal to pry him away. Considering the Raptors were also in play, perhaps it was throwing on the third year that ultimately got VanVleet to leave the franchise he won a championship with a few years back.
I seriously can’t believe that number. Don’t get me wrong, I believe VanVleet is a very talented player who can undoubtedly help the Rockets take a step in the right competitive direction. But $43.3 million a year for a 29-year-old with one All-Star appearance under their belt is … wow.
You got to be happy for Fred VanVleet, though. The Illinois native started his career as an undrafted free agent. He’s a great example of what relentless hard work and consistency can do in this league.
