The Houston Rockets had a successful 2024-25 season by everyone’s standards. They won 52 games and made the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Now the Rockets must capitalize on that progress with a strong offseason.
One of the main priorities this offseason for Houston’s front office will be figuring out the future of starting point guard Fred VanVleet. The 31-year-old VanVleet has a $44.8 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
Last week, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that the Rockets are expected to bring VanVleet back next season by picking up his player option or negotiating a new deal, which would be at a lower and “team-friendly” salary.
Iko added that the chances of VanVleet playing with a different team next season are slim.
If you are a Rockets fan, you’d hope that the two sides can negotiate a new deal at a lower salary, as this team has other young players on the roster who will demand huge contracts soon. But if he picks up his player option, the Rockets could toy with the idea of using it in a trade, potentially for a slightly younger point guard.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland could become available this offseason.
"I think there's some belief that Darius Garland might be available under the right circumstances," Windhorst said on ESPN 850 Cleveland Friday. "I think the Cavs are listening and open-minded."
"I think there's some belief that Darius Garland might be available under the right circumstances... I think the Cavs are listening and open minded," - @WindhorstESPN.
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 5, 2025
Would you be open to the Cavs trading Darius Garland? pic.twitter.com/KM0eJQ7jIT
If this is the case, the Rockets should see what it would cost to acquire Garland. The two-time All-Star guard had a disappointing NBA playoffs this season due to a toe injury, which forced him to miss time in the first round and Eastern Conference semifinals.
The 25-year-old point guard had a good regular season, averaging 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game. Garland also shot 47.2 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from three-point range.
Despite his scoring and shooting ability, Garland isn’t a great defender, as evident by his 115 DRtg (defensive rating) this season. However, he would be a younger point guard who could grow with this core and play well off of Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun.
Since he’s entering the third year of his rookie extension ($39.4 million this season), the Rockets would certainly have to include VanVleet in a potential deal for Garland. The Rockets also have a first-round pick, which could be used as trade bait, too.
That said, it will be interesting to see how things play out in the Association over the next several weeks. The Rockets cannot stand pat, they need to find ways to add to this roster to make a deeper playoff run next season.