The Houston Rockets have agreed to sign point guard Fred VanVleet, team sources confirmed to The Athletic on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- According to ESPN, the deal is a three-year deal with a maximum volume of $130 million. Later Friday, the Raptors and guard Dennis Schroeder agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract, according to ESPN.
- VanVleet declined his player option with the Toronto Raptors on June 12.
- The 29-year-old averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and a career-best 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 69 games last season.
- VanVleet had spent his entire career in Toronto after the team signed him as an undrafted free agent from Wichita State in 2016. He won an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What brings VanVleet to Houston
The addition of Fred VanVleet, an established, accomplished player in the greatest distressed position, is a monumental change in Houston’s rebuilding schedule. Once it became clear internally that a future without James Harden was the likely path, the front office quickly turned their attention to VanVleet, a tenacious natural playmaker, and was poised to pursue him aggressively.
Discussions between coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone emphasized the need for winners and, more importantly, leadership in the dressing room. VanVleet comes with experience, tenacity and attitude – key factors that support the development of young players like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. VanVleet immediately sets new standards in this group. – Iko
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What did VanVleet mean to the Raptors?
It might be overstated that VanVleet was Kyle Lowry’s heir apparent, but he was a testament to the Raptors’ excellent development system. He’s gone from being an undrafted player to earning a 15th roster spot, beating a veteran for a reserve spot, being a key figure on a championship team, to being a starter to the All-Star.
Credit goes to VanVleet for doing this work, but the Raptors helped him with it. Now the player who took some of the strongest shots in the deciding game of the 2019 NBA Finals is gone. — Korean
What do the Raptors get in Schroeder?
That doesn’t fit perfectly. Schroeder hit just 32.4 percent in catch-and-shoot three-pointers last year, and the Raptors are a team that often puts the ball in the hands of game-winning forwards Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. It gives the Raptors the explosiveness they need when dribbling, but the geometry in the midfield offense will be complicated. This was already the case with VanVleet, a far superior shooter.
The move means the Raptors’ purchasing power is very limited going forward. One wonders if they might be eyeing maybe Thaddeus Young, who still hasn’t been officially fired, or Chris Boucher and some equity withdrawal to Washington for either Monte Morris or Delon Wright, both of whom are expiring. — Korean
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backstory
VanVleet, who was named an All-Star for the 2021-22 season, has career averages of 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He has played an average of 36.8 minutes over the past four seasons.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger recently ranked VanVleet as the third best available free agent this offseason based on the BORD$ contract value forecasting method.
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(Photo: Winslow Townson / USA Today)