With Fred VanVleet potentially hitting free agency this offseason, the Rockets could have interest in a new contract.

VanVleet hasn’t been the sole reason for the Rockets’ improvement — they added fellow vet Dillon Brooks and are seeing growth from young players like Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Tari Eason and more — but there’s no coincidence that his arrival coincided so directly with Houston’s climb to the top of the standings.