Team: Houston Rockets (20-22)
2023-24 Salary: $40.8 million
Entire Remaining Contract: Three years, $128.5 million (final season is a team option)
Stats: 17.3 points, 8.5 assists, 38.8 percent from three-point range
Games Played: 40
The Houston franchise got tired of playing the lottery, investing in several veteran players this offseason, including VanVleet (30 in February), to help guide the roster back to the postseason. The results have been mixed. Yes, the team is dramatically better than last year's 22-win team, but the Rockets have a lot of ground to make up for a surefire playoff bid.
VanVleet is a very respectable lead guard with championship experience. Is he going to earn a top-15 All-NBA bid? No, but Houston's big investment is relatively short, with only two years locked in.
