He bought a house there, moved his family there and experienced the vagaries of the local climate. This is what the first summer of Fred VanVleet in Houston. “ An experience with the tornado, the hurricane and all the bad weather we experienced. But settling down, settling down my family: it's a blessing to be in a place you can call home “, delivers former Raptors player.
He who considers himself a true “ Houstonian » left Canada in July 2023 to join Texas, for a monstrous contract worth 130 million dollars. Largest contract in history signed by an undrafted player.
An unusual feature for such an important contract: the Rockets have an option for the final year (2025-2026), worth nearly $45 million. Will we see the 30-year-old playmaker again earlier than imagined on the market?
While GM Rafael Stone assured that “ the core can stay together for a long time and be very successful “, VanVleet says he is not ” came here to be a tenant ”, or to become a “free agent” again. “ I came here to settle down long term. I have loved my time here so far. With the management, I think I have a good idea of what the future holds for this team. »
Many possible scenarios
The 2019 NBA champion says he is not worried about the business aspect, and therefore about this option over which he has no control. “ But I think my family and I will stay in Texas. I came here to find a home, and I think I found one », assures the native of Illinois, who is not eligible for a new contract extension this month.
“ It is obvious that I am aware of the situation and the scenarios. The decision will be made based on what is best for me and the team. My agent, Stone and management will make a decision on the best path forward “, he breaks away.
For his first season in Houston last year, he posted his best career passing average (8.1). But his scoring average (17.4) was the lowest since 2020, with a general address percentage still very average (41.6%, but 38.7 at 3-points).
| Fred VanVleet | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 37 | 8 | 35.1 | 37.9 | 81.8 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.9 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 76 | 20 | 42.6 | 41.4 | 83.2 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 8.6 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 64 | 28 | 41.0 | 37.8 | 84.3 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 11.0 |
| 2019-20 | TOR | 54 | 36 | 41.3 | 39.0 | 84.8 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 17.6 |
| 2020-21 | TOR | 52 | 37 | 38.9 | 36.6 | 88.5 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 19.6 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 65 | 38 | 40.3 | 37.7 | 87.4 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 6.7 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 20.3 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 69 | 37 | 39.3 | 34.2 | 89.8 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 19.4 |
| 2023-24 | HOU | 73 | 37 | 41.6 | 38.7 | 86.0 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 8.1 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 17.4 |
| Total | 490 | 31 | 40.4 | 37.5 | 86.8 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 5.7 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 15.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
