Fred VanVleet signed a three-year, $128 million contract with the Houston Rockets this past offseason after spending the first seven years of his career with the Toronto Raptors. The Rockets have been a walking disaster ever since James Harden requested a trade in 2020-21 and was sent to the Brooklyn Nets, but VanVleet was eager to change things in Houston.
Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports talked to a source who said VanVleet had a message for people after signing with the Rockets.
“Man, all this s*** that’s been going on around here, that’s all gonna change. I’m makin’ sure of that.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets Updates
VanVleet is averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists for the Rockets this season while shooting 36.3% from the field, 36.2% from beyond the arc and 93.3% from the free-throw line. Houston is 4-3 through seven games.
“He’s exactly what that group of guys needed,” said a league source. “Young guys all want to establish themselves when they show up in the league, and the way (VanVleet) plays shows them they can still get theirs — and get it easier — if they work through each other. And once a young guy starts to taste a little success, that’s a great motivator in itself.”
The Rockets won only 22 games last season. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2020. New head coach Ime Udoka wanted to establish a winning culture in Houston, which is why he wanted VanVleet, who won the 2019 championship with the Raptors.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets Updates
“Houston is a great place to be,” VanVleet said during an interview with Kelly Iko of The Athletic“I had to evaluate the options that were on the table and for me, at the time, it was the best option.”
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