(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets surprised plenty of fans during the first couple of days of NBA free agency.
The team had a lot of money to spend and made some decisions that raised many eyebrows around the league.
Fred VanVleet agreed to a three-year, $130 million deal with the Rockets.
The veteran guard knows that his deal rubbed many people the wrong way, but he’s keen to let them know that he’s worth every penny.
Fred VanVleet and the Rockets pic.twitter.com/BwWGCqlz7F
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 8, 2023
Talking with Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the former Toronto Raptors player vowed to prove every doubter wrong this season:
“And I know people are crazy about the number, but the league is growing every year and that number won’t be that number in a few years. So I know it’s a shock factor with the narrative that I have around me as an undrafted guy, but I’m going to work every day to make sure I prove every penny.”
After appointing Ime Udoka as their head coach, the Rockets are set to start a new era.
VanVleet is expected to be one of the leaders for the younger guys on the roster.
He grew a lot on the Raptors and became an All-Star after winning a title in 2019.
He played 69 games last season, posting 19.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per outing.
The Rockets also added Dillon Brooks on a four-year, $80 million deal, which was met with rolled eyes too.
This team has big ambitions for the next season, and they hope that the veterans they landed can take them back to the postseason.
After James Harden left, the Rockets were a wandering team.
Last season, they posted a terrible 22-60 record that prompted the firing of Stephen Silas.
VanVleet will have a big job to carry out next season as the leader of this team, but he’s ready to face the challenge and compete to win another championship.
The post Fred VanVleet Gets Honest On His Massive Deal With Rockets appeared first on The Cold Wire.