Fred VanVleet Rumors: Rockets Buzz Has 'Grown'; HOU to Offer 'Competitive' Contract

Amid rumors James Harden will re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, the Houston Rockets appear to have shifted their focus to Fred VanVleet.

Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the buzz in NBA circles has "grown" that Houston has a strong chance to land the 29-year-old and is preparing to make him a "very competitive" offer.

The Rockets appear ready to make a big splash in free agency to improve their roster. They have lost at least 55 games in each of the past three seasons and haven't made the playoffs since 2019-20.

NBA insider Marc Stein noted the Rockets are "strong contenders" to sign Dillon Brooks, in addition to VanVleet.

According to Fischer, it's going to "take a maximum contract" to sign VanVleet away from the Toronto Raptors, and the Rockets "are considering short-term, high-salary contracts" to sign free agents with an offer in the range of two years and $80 million possible for VanVleet.

Per Spotrac's Keith Smith, the full max VanVleet can get from another team in free agency is four years and $172.9 million.

After the Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round, Harden's future with the organization became a key talking point. He's expected to decline his $35.6 million player option for next season to become a free agent.

The Rockets have long been cited as a potential landing spot for Harden this summer if he were to leave Philadelphia.

On Tuesday's episode of Get Up, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the 76ers are "operating like they've got a good chance" to retain Harden and other potential suitors "seem to be looking elsewhere."

If Harden does, in fact, go back to Philadelphia, that leaves VanVleet and Kyrie Irving as the top two point guards available. Irving is always a wild card, but it seems like the Dallas Mavericks are favored to retain him.

VanVleet has spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Raptors. He averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game in 69 starts last season.