The plan changes? The Rockets consider postponing the decision on VanVleet s team options. Explain what Stone wants to do

With the Rockets and Warriors' first round playoffs over, the Houston Rockets ended their playoff journey this season. The following summer, Rockets management needs to reevaluate every position and every player on the team. Where will the team go in the future? Who can stay? Who may leave? This series of questions is placed before General Manager Raphael Stone, testing his decision-making ability. A very important mission for the Rockets this year is to evaluate veteran Van Vreet. As we all know, Van Vreett has one year left in his contract, which is a team option of $44.89 million, and such a salary is already very high. If the Rockets execute Van Vreett's final year contract, he will become the highest-paid player in the team in the new season. However, Rockets fans have experienced this season and are deeply disgusted with Van Vreet's performance.

Fortunately, in the series against the Warriors, Van Vreet broke out in the last few games, which was to give back some value to his contract. Even so, Van Vreett's contract of more than 40 million is still too high unless he can play steadily against the Warriors' series in the last few games. This is certainly unrealistic. Previously, according to media reports, the Rockets had the idea of ​​executing Van Vreet's last-year contract. However, just today, according to reports from the US media, the Rockets have a new idea, which is to postpone the time to implement the VanVleet player option.

Today, NBA famous reporter Marc Stein reported that sources revealed that the Rockets are discussing a decision to postpone Van Vreet's team execution options until the end of June. Under the initial terms, the Rockets must decide within five days of the end of the season whether to implement VanVleet's 2025-26 team options, but this clause can be negotiated and modified. Van Vreet's salary this season is $42.85 million, and the 2025-26 season is a team option worth $44.89 million.

In the regular season of the 2024-25 season, Van Vreet played 60 games for the Rockets, averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, shooting percentage was 37.8%, three-point shooting percentage was 34.5%, and free throw shooting percentage was 81.0%. In this year's playoffs, Van Vreet played 7 times, averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1 steal per game, shooting percentage was 43.0%, three-point shooting percentage was 43.5%, and free throw shooting percentage was 83.3%.

Judging from the average number of regular season and playoffs, Van Vleet's efficiency in the playoffs has been significantly improved. This is the role of a veteran and the value of the champion defender. If Van Vreett had such efficiency in the playoffs throughout the regular season, I believe the Rockets would not hesitate to execute his last year contract. After all, the team still has a rookie bonus contract to eat. Unfortunately, that was not Van Jordan's normal performance. Therefore, Arrow still treated Van Vreet's last year's contract very cautiously.

So, what is the purpose of the Rockets management postponing the execution of the VanVleet team option? In fact, we should pay attention to two important time nodes, one is the lottery draw on May 13, and the other is the draft on June 26 and 27. This makes it clear that the Rockets have a first-round draft pick this year with the Suns. This draft pick has a 3.8% chance of winning the No. 1 pick and a 17.3% chance of winning the top four picks. In summary, the Rockets are waiting for the draft draw and the final draft results.

If the Rockets can draw the top 4 picks or get a rookie who can be the cornerstone, then they will likely retain their existing lineup and sign a longer-term, lower-paying contract with Van Variett, allowing Van Variett to lead these young people to continue to grow. If the ranking is not too high or the candidate he likes cannot be selected, the Rockets may consider executing Van Vreet's contract and use his big contract as one of the bargaining chips, the Soha Star. By the end of June, it will be easier for the Rockets to treat Van Vreet. This is Stone's idea and logic.

In any case, the Rockets are brewing big moves, and this summer, the Rockets are still worth looking forward to.