While Fred VanVleet‘s first season with the Rockets wasn’t one of the best of his career in terms of wins and losses, he said it was “really fun” to take the leadership traits he developed in Toronto and apply them to a young team in Houston, according to Scott Leber of WTVO.
“It was probably the most fun I’ve had in a long time,” VanVleet said. “Just back to the basics enjoying the small moments. Once you win a championship you get a little spoiled and jaded, and you kind of forget how fun it was building up to that point, so actually it was back to square one learning.”
The Rockets had an eventful summer a year ago, using their significant cap room to bring in VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency. Houston won’t have cap space available this offseason, but the team will have the mid-level exception on hand and has the assets necessary to go shopping on the trade market for additional upgrades, so VanVleet believes it’s not unrealistic to expect another major roster move.
“We’ve got the ammunition for it, so we’ll see, but I’m rolling with whatever they decide to do,” the veteran point guard said. “Obviously winning is at the forefront. I trust ownership and management that they’re going to make the right decisions.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- The Mavericks‘ 38-point blowout of Boston in Game 4 was certainly impressive, but does it have any predictive value for Game 5 (and possibly beyond)? John Hollinger of The Athletic explores that question, ultimately concluding that history suggests Game 4 was “probably a human nature loss more than a telling turning point.”
- As Stefan Bondy of The New York Post writes, Mavericks assistant coach Sean Sweeney has received rave reviews from players, including Dereck Lively, who said he “wouldn’t be here without Sweene,” and Josh Green, who lauded Sweeney’s “X’s and O’s” acumen and ability to make adjustments. The highest praise for Sweeney may have come from head coach Jason Kidd, who told Bondy, “He’ll be a head coach soon.”
- Christian Clark of NOLA.com looks at some of the biggest decisions facing David Griffin and the Pelicans this offseason, including picking a direction on Brandon Ingram‘s future, addressing the center position, and filling out a coaching staff and basketball operations department that have seen staffers depart for new teams this spring.
Cashing in 40 million can make anything seem fun, even wasting a season in mediocrity.
FVV is still the most overpaid player in the nba and it isnt even close, never was lol
No NBA player is overpaid, they get paid what the market bears but if you look at production vs compensation VanVleet isn’t anywhere near the worst and it’s not even close. Houston got far more bang for their buck with VanVleet as compared to the Nets with Simmons, the Wizards with Poole, The Suns with Beal or the Bulls with Lavine.
3 hurt most of the season and 1 obvious overpay before he was overpaid. Horrendous take and horrible examples. Rivet rivet rivet.
Compared to
Brunson $24m one year
Real value $60m
SGA $33m one year
Real value $75m
Doncic $40m one year
Real value $80m
Highly likely, Rockets will select Reed Sheppard at 3 (shoots like Steve Nash).
I’d like to know how coach will allocate the playing time for 5 guards.
Starters:
VanVleet and Whitmore?
Whitmore, 6’6″, a good defender
Bench:
Jalen Green
Sheppard
Amen Thompson
Are they going to keep Green?
Jalen Green Stats this season (2023-24)
52 games where he shoots .333 or worse
only 3 games where he shot “right around league average” – .364 once and .375 twice.
All other games were either .400 or above or .333 or below with 38 games .250 or worse
shoots 40% or better than anything else. He had 27 games like this season.
Rockets will not deal Green.
I am wondering with Adams, Sengun, and Landale if Landale is kept
Of these players not sure if all are still with team but Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, Reggie Bullock if any of them will be back or were only signed for last season.
I do not see Tate returning as he hardly played as compared to when Silas was coach.
But with these players at the moment Jalen, Jabari, Brooks, Adams, Landale, Eason, Sengun, Amen, Whitmore, Van Vleet and maybe whom get in the draft or if trade the spot. Rest of players like ones that were used when games were blow outs etc.
I hope we make the moves to get better. Not for reasons and take a step back. We had a shot this last season at one time. We came up short. But had some issues of need for this off season. I hope getting better for this upcoming season to earn a play in I doubt we get top tier unless teams like Denver or how the Lakers or Clippers, Warriors and many others do. Thunder could be in mix again.
I felt it would take money for Van Vleet and more to come here. But hope for a great team and some excitement this fall and more. And even a nice look at summer league, and pre season.