Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2025 Free Agents - Fred VanVleet
The former undrafted point guard out of Wichita State has made quite a career for himself, becoming an All-Star in Toronto and earning a max contract from Houston back in 2023. VanVleet may not be a top 15-20 player in the league, but was comfortably in the top 25-35 range as recently as a couple years ago, and is still an above-average starting guard. He continues to get more efficient, as he posted a career high 56.8% true shooting in '23-'24, led mostly by him taking more 3s and hitting them at a very good 40% clip.  Offensively, VanVleet has become an effective scorer due to his ability to create separation and hit jumpers off the dribble. He's a 38% 3-point shooter for his career, and has hovered around that mark each of the last several seasons. A lot of his shots are unassisted, off the dribble attempts too. He's not the same level of pull-up shooter as Steph Curry or Damian Lillard in pick-and-roll, but he's in the next tier and is a real threat in that regard. VanVeet is not someone that will carve defenses apart with his passing, but he can make the right reads once he creates an advantage. VanVleet has become more reliant on his outside jumper in recent years. About 16% of his field goal attempts have come at the rim over the last three season, according to Cleaning the Glass. Over 53% of his attempts have been 3-pointers over that time. Given VanVleet has always struggled to finish at the rim, and has consistently been a good outside shooter, that may be better for his efficiency. However, it could be slightly concerning if he becomes more one-dimensional as he ages into his post-prime. On defense, VanVleet is strong enough and fights hard enough to guard bigger guards, giving his team flexibility to play him with another point guard, as he often did when Kyle Lowry was still on the Raptors. VanVleet was a big part of the 2019 championship Raptors, that essentially had no weak links defensively. He also helped contribute to Houston's vastly improved defense in '23-'24. He has good hands, and has consistently put up high steal rates for his career.  VanVleet will be 31 years old as a potential free agent in 2025, so it's possible that teams could be worried about giving him a large long-term contract.
Summary
VanVleet has a $44.9 million team option for '25-'26, and if the Rockets decline that option he will be an unrestricted free agent with a $46.4 million cap hold and Early Bird Rights. Because his salary his already pretty high, the Rockets could offer VanVleet his maximum salary of $46.4 million using Early Bird Rights, but they would not be able to give him a 5-year contract. Alternatively, he could agree to an extension with VanVleet either after or instead of exercising his option. Since VanVleet will be getting more than the full MLE of $14.1 million, only teams with cap space will be able to sign Irving as a free agent. If an over-the-cap team is interested in VanVleet, sign-and-trade options can be explored, or opt-in-and-trade options.
Cap Considerations
Kyrie Irving (2+1 years, $120 million, 2023) Jalen Brunson (3+1 years, $156.6 million, 2024) C.J. McCollum (2 years, $64 million, 2022)