Rockets land guard Fred VanVleet in NBA Free Agency, agrees to 3-year, $130 million deal: Sources
HOUSTON, Texas -- Free agent guard Fred VanVleet has agreed on a three-year, $130 million contract with the Houston Rockets, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz told ESPN's, Adrian Wojnarowski.
The video above is from ABC13's Live Streaming Channel.
VanVleet turned down a $22.8 million player option with the Toronto Raptors for next season after averaging 19.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 1.8 steals, continuing a strong run of play since he became a full-time starter in 2019-20.
It was his third straight season averaging at least 19 points and his fourth straight averaging six assists.
RELATED: NBA Draft: Houston Rockets go with Amen Thompson at No. 4, Cam Whitmore at No. 20
A volume 3-point shooter at the point guard position, VanVleet is an elite floor-spacer who can play-make and provide strong defense at the point of attack. He ranked third in the NBA in steals last season and first in deflections per game, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
VanVleet helped the Raptors win a championship in 2019 with his hot shooting off the bench before taking over as the franchise's lead guard when Kyle Lowry departed two seasons ago. He's played his entire seven-year NBA career in Toronto and ranks third in total assists and fourth in total steals in franchise history.
Vanvleet also developed a strong relationship with head coach Nick Nurse over the years; Nurse is now coaching in Philadelphia after the Raptors moved on from him this offseason.
Vanvleet was undrafted out of Wichita State; he became just the fifth undrafted player to make an All-Star team two seasons ago. He signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Raptors in 2020.
ESPN contributed to this report.
