The curtains only just closed on the Houston Rockets' 2024-25 NBA season, but the team's first-round playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday officially commenced an intriguing offseason. The Rockets kept their roster intact at the trade deadline this season en route to earning a playoff berth as the West's No.

The Houston Rockets are expected to exercise veteran guard Fred VanVleet’s $45 million contract option, following their Game 7 playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Fred VanVleet isn't just Houston's starting point guard for the last two seasons. He is the team's unquestioned leader, a playmaker on the floor, and a focused, steady presence in the locker room and on the road. While VanVleet's metrics leave much to be desired, his intangibles are unmatched.