Fred VanVleet exercises player option to return to Rockets

According to team sources who spoke to The Athletic on Monday, Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has activated his $25 million player option for the 2026–27 campaign. He signed a three-year, $130 million contract to join the Rockets in 2023, then in the summer of 2025, he signed a two-year, $50 million extension.The seasoned point guard could have become an unrestricted free agent by rejecting his option. Vanvleet decided to stay for one more season and continue to play a significant rol