$83.6 million for 2 years! Revealed that the Rockets are ready to make a top salary offer, VanVleet Harden Irving is expected to stay on the team
Beijing time on June 29, according to Marc Stein, the Rockets plan to provide VanVleet with a 2-year $83.6 million maximum salary contract, hoping that the Raptors guard, who became a free agent, can come to play in the offseason. It was previously reported that Harden is expected to re-sign with the 76ers, Irving also plans to stay in Dallas, and VanVleet has become the Rockets' main target in the free agent market.
The Raptors are also interested in keeping VanVleet, who completed a four-year, $85 million contract extension with VanVleet in 2020, and they are expected to meet VanVleet in Los Angeles on Friday. The Rockets have decided to compete for the guard with a top salary. The local media of the Raptors believe that VanVleet's departure is inevitable, and the Rockets can not only give a top salary, and Texas has no state tax, which can also allow VanVleet to get more benefits.
Previously, in a fan survey, more than six out of ten fans believed that VanVleet was not worth 30 million in annual salary. But the rockets did not affect their future plans.
After all, although the Rockets are willing to offer a top salary, this is a two-year contract, and the two-year contract will not affect the team's renewal of young players such as Green and Shenjing in the team.
VanVleet, 1.85 meters tall, is 29 years old and has elite-level passing ability and a solid outside defense, the only obvious drawback is the lack of consistency in shooting. In 2022-23, he played in 69 games for the Raptors, averaging 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 39.3 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 89.8 percent from the free-throw line.
The Rockets have the largest salary space this offseason and are expected to reach $64 million. Previously, salary expert Bobby Marks had suggested that the Rockets sign VanVleet for an annual salary of about 35 million, and then bring in Dillon Brooks (expected 14 million) and Bruce Brown (expected 12 million), which can make the roster more comprehensive. If VanVleet needs to pay a top salary, there will be less room to bring in other players.
Multiple US media reports said Harden is expected to stay with the 76ers. NBA commentator Jay Williams said: "I don't think Harden should be the second most shot player on your team, in the perfect situation, Embiid is the first choice, I want Maxi to get the second most shots, Harden more of a playmaker." If you give him that much money, then he's going to be a superstar of that level, and he wants a contract like that. I don't think he's a player of that level anymore, I think he's only a third choice in a championship team. ”
Stein also reported that as has been reported over the past few weeks, the Lone Ranger remains the only identified Irving suitor for now, but Irving will also meet with other teams. Previously, Woj said that Irving has few potential next homes, and it is entirely expected that Irving will stay with the Lone Ranger, and the problem lies in the specific circumstances of the contract. Woj said: "For example, the specific number of years of the contract is a problem, I think the amount of the contract is not a problem, the problem is that there are years in the contract that are completely guaranteed. If he wants to get the most money and win at the same time, staying with the Mavericks and Doncic is the best option. ”