VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with Houston, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option for 2026-27.

The Rockets are declining VanVleet’s $44.9 million player option to set up the deal.

VanVleet, 31, inked a three-year, $128.5 million deal with Houston in the 2023 off-season and has helped guide the franchise into its current competitive window.

In 2024-25, the six-foot guard averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals over 60 games while shooting 37.8 per cent from the floor and 34.5 per cent from three. The Rockets finished second in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record before losing out in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.

VanVleet stepped up when the lights were bright, averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.0 per cent from the field and 43.5 per cent from deep. He also led the team in minutes, averaging 40.0 a night.

VanVleet, formerly an all-star and NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, will now return to a bolstered Rockets roster after the acquisition of Kevin Durant. They traded away guard Jalen Green, wing Dillon Brooks, along with a 2025 first-rounder and five second-round picks to land the future Hall of Famer.

The 2025-26 season will mark the 10th of VanVleet’s career. The undrafted free agent spent seven years in Toronto, emerging as a reliable defensive force and trusted floor general.

For his career, VanVleet is averaging 14.9 points and 5.7 assists over 550 games played.