Fred VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets this summer on a three-year, $130 million contract. The point guard spent his first seven seasons in the league with the Toronto Raptors. During his time in Canada, VanVleet won a championship in 2019 and made an All-Star team in 2022.
Following a season where he averaged 19.3 points and 7.2 assists, VanVleet will look to establish himself as a leader for Houston’s young talent. The veteran floor general should help with setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
On NBA Media Day, VanVleet talked about what motivated him to join a rebuilding Rockets squad.
“Coach is the biggest reason I’m here,” VanVleet said, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “I’ve always been an extension of the coach on the floor. All of this [Media Day] stuff is fun and pictures are nice, but I’m excited to get to work.”
New head coach Ime Udoka joined the Rockets just a few weeks after the end of the 2022-23 season. Houston signed Udoka in late April after firing former head coach Stephen Silas earlier that month.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets & Toronto Raptors Updates
Two seasons ago, Udoka famously took the Boston Celtics to their first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade. Disaster struck soon after that, as Boston had to suspend Udoka for an inappropriate workplace relationship right before the start of last season.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets “probed the circumstances around Udoka’s Celtics departure with the team and league office.”
Off-court drama aside, Udoka put together an incredible season as a rookie head coach with Boston. The Celtics won 51 games under his tutelage and rediscovered a defensive identity that carried them to the finals.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets & Toronto Raptors Updates
After finishing 2023 with the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA, the Rockets will look to turn their defense around with Udoka. The signing of players like VanVleet and Dillon Brooks will certainly help Houston’s cause.
VanVleet’s praise for Udoka clearly mirrors how the Rockets feel about the 45-year-old head coach, given the contract Houston gave him back in April. Udoka will make $28.5 million over the next four years.
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