44.9 million gamble or price renewal? VanVleet is in a dilemma, and there is an answer in the future of the Rockets

The Houston Rockets will make a decision on the stay and stay of point guard Fred VanVleet in this offseason. After the Rockets signed the former All-Star and NBA champion in 2023, the team's offense has a roller coaster experience under his control. VanVleet was generally positive for the Rockets’ first season, with the veteran averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game, helping the Rockets achieve a record of 41 wins and 41 losses, taking an important step in the reconstruction process.

However, his position with the Rockets this season is a bit embarrassing. Although Van Vleet's performance has declined across the board, he averaged only 14.1 points and 5.5 assists per game, and his shooting percentage has also dropped to 37.8%. His overall performance is negative, but the Rockets stood out in the extremely competitive West, achieving a record of 52 wins and 30 losses to lock in the second place in the West.

VanVleet has a $44.9 million team option this offseason. If the Rockets refuse to execute, VanVleet will enter the unrestricted free agent market, with a chance to return at a more reasonable price, but also have the freedom to sign with other teams.

ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton ranked VanVleet as the fifth largest free agent this year's offseason in a recent report, ranking the 1.83-meter-high defender behind LeBron James, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Julius Randallmee. Since the $44.9 million team option is too expensive, once executed, it will allow the Rockets to cross the No. 1 luxury tax line, Pelton believes the Rockets are more likely to keep him on with a smaller contract.

Pelton said: "Unlike other players in this class, VanVleet's option is decided by the Rockets, which is part of a three-year maximum salary contract he signed with the Houston Rockets two years ago. Given how good VanVleet's cooperation with a team second in the Western Conference, it's meaningless to reject this option and let him go. But with the luxury tax becoming a factor, the Rockets may want to sign a new contract with the 31-year-old point guard to replace VanVleet's $44.9 million team option with a compensatory contract with a lower starting salary but longer years." The Rockets also have a chance to chase superstars this offseason, with players such as Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant having all had scandals with them. Accepting VanVleet’s team option and then packing him away will also help balance the trade salary, which provides the Rockets with another option. What do you think the Rockets should do?