VanVleet s salary cut and renewed the Rockets. What is the secret to it?

On June 26, according to the famous NBA reporter Charania, Van Vleet reached a two-year, 50 million contract extension with the Rockets. The Rockets rejected VanVleet's $44.9 million team option for the 25-26 season and signed a new two-year contract with him, and this contract is the second year of the team option.

So, why did Van Vleet choose to cut his salary and renew his contract with the Rockets? What is the logic and mystery here?

From the Rockets' perspective, the Rockets need to hope that Van Vleet will cut their salary. Only after Van Vleet's salary cut can the Rockets use the full middle class of $14.1 million, which will facilitate the Rockets to operate better in the free market or trading market in the future. In the summer of 2024, the Rockets issued a three-year contract of $130 million, creating the highest contract in history for undrafts. However, the last year of this contract was the team draft. The Rockets rejected the team's option this time. The contract was only executed for two years. During the Rockets' contract, the annual salary of this contract was more than 10 million compared to Van Vlitter's market price. At this time, Van Vlitter chose to reduce his salary and renew his contract, which was more of a favorable return.

Previously, when the Rockets renewed Aquaman Adams for 3 years and 39 million, Adams' market price was generally believed to be around 1,500 annual salary, but in fact, Adams' renewal still had a certain discount on the price. At that time, it was generally believed that the price of the contract offered by the Rockets to Adams, plus the price of VanVleet's new contract, was equal to the price of VanVleet's old contract. It was generally believed that VanVleet's annual salary for the next contract was more than 30 million. But in fact, whether it was Adams or VanVleet, renewal with the Rockets was given a certain discount, and the athletes were willing to reduce their value, which showed that during the Rockets, the contract with the Rockets was very comfortable.

Van Vleet's salary cut, making the Rockets convenient for subsequent signings, which shows that the Rockets' team's goal in the new season is longer-term. Especially after introducing Durant, Durant's window for winning the championship is very short. The Rockets' ambition to enter the championship ranks is very obvious, which means that the Rockets are back in the championship ranks. Van Vleet supports or support the Rockets' behaviors and actions and is willing to make sacrifices.

For Van Vleet, there are not many teams with salary space this summer. If Van Vleet leaves the Rockets, there are not many teams that can give Van Vleet a suitable price. The supply and demand relationship determines that Van Vleet will not make any major moves this summer.

This two-year, 50 million contract is actually a 1+1 contract. To be precise, it is a one-year short-term contract. Van Vlitter signed this one-year contract with a more obvious purpose. There are many teams with salary space next summer. If Van Vlitter enters the free market, the probability of signing a high salary is higher, and Van Vlitter has a wider choice.

Next season, the Rockets' signings will help Van Vleet improve data and efficiency. In the past two seasons, the Rockets' core players have not been of enough grade. Van Vleet is not a player of the big robbery type, which has led to Van Vleet's offensive efficiency being terrible. In fact, it is to make up for the team's main attacking players' level and the ball rights cannot be digested. This summer, the Rockets have introduced Durant, and Van Vleet does not need to take over the offensive end. Therefore, Van Vleet's offensive efficiency will definitely improve. With a historical scorer like Durant, Van Vleet's assists will inevitably be no less. When the data and efficiency are improved, the probability of getting a big contract next summer will be greatly improved.

Of course, Van Vleet's 1-year contract is the same timeline as Durant's expiration contract. If Durant is successful next season, the combination of Van Vleet + Durant is good. The Rockets will renew the contract with two people at the same time, and there is a possibility of giving up two people at the same time. The Rockets will minimize their own risks and flexibility.

In this year's draft, the Rockets had no draft picks, and their two draft picks were sent to the Suns in Durant's trade. Currently, the Rockets only have Shepard's point guard in the team. Shepard's current strength and level are not enough to replace Van Vlitter. Next season, Van Vlitter's status and playing time have basically no competition. Van Vlitter's irreplaceability is the key to Van Vlitter's daring to sign a one-year contract.

Judging from the salary cut of Van Vleet, the Rockets must have great ideas about next season. Leaving a full middle-class contract and giving up Langdale means that the Rockets' reinforcement is more towards the goal of competing for the championship. At present and the future, young players will grow rapidly. Van Vleet's two years with the Rockets are also the confidence to renew the Rockets' contract with a short salary cut.

VanVleet's choice of a short-term salary cut means that the Rockets may have the idea and possibility of paying luxury taxes next season. Who will leave the Rockets' full middle class to and who can sign is the significance of VanVleet's salary cut. To a certain extent, VanVleet has decided to cut salary, and the player he introduced is likely to have a lot of expectations. Who is it? We will wait and see after the free market is opened.