Fred VanVleet is making his future intentions crystal clear

NBA Rumors: Fred VanVleet makes it clear that he wants to be a part of the Houston Rockets beyond his current contract.

When the Houston Rockets signed Fred VanVleet in free agency during the 2023 NBA offseason, the team hoped it would be an acquisition that would help lead the franchise into a new era – one that effectively puts defeat behind them would let. And while the Rockets didn’t make the postseason in the first year after the VanVleet takeover, it’s hard to say the team’s decision was a dud.

The Rockets may not have made the playoffs last year, but they did post a 19-game win improvement. Going into this season, the hope is that the Rockets make another small improvement. If so, that will likely lead to the team making some noise in the Western Conference playoffs. And whether many are ready to give VanVleet credit or not, it’s pretty clear that he’s at least part of Houston’s recent turnaround.

However, the Rockets have a pretty big decision to make about VanVleet’s future after this season. VanVleet has a team option for the 2025-26 season and at this point it is impossible to predict how the Rockets will approach this decision.

But if it’s any consolation, VanVleet has made it clear that he would like to stay in Houston.

“I didn’t come here to be a tenant. I didn’t come here to be a free agent (again). I came here to find a long-term home.

– Fred VanVleet

It may be difficult to tangibly identify, but it’s hard to deny that VanVleet has undoubtedly helped change the culture in Houston. It probably wasn’t just VanVleet. But he was certainly a part of it. Acquiring Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green probably helped, too. Not to mention the development of their young players.

But in many ways, VanVleet was part of the culture changer when he moved from the Toronto Raptors. It will be interesting to see if the Rockets view VanVleet in the same light. You have to imagine that.

There’s a very good chance the Rockets and VanVleet want to keep that connection going. The big question is whether the money will ultimately work for both sides. And that’s exactly what it could end up being next summer.