Fred VanVleet is being paid the big bucks to move to the Western Conference.
After seven seasons in Toronto, VanVleet is reportedly leaving the Raptors for the Rockets in free agency.
The Sporting News' Stephen Noh had VanVleet ranked as the fifth-best player in this free agent class, trailing only James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Khris Middleton and Draymond Green. VanVleet had a down year shooting the ball by his standards, but he still averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 2022-23.
The Rockets are reportedly hoping that VanVleet can help change the team's culture as a "leader and example-setter."
VanVleet has been one of the NBA's best development stories in recent memory. In addition to playing a key role in Toronto's first-ever championship, he's one of only a few players to become an All-Star after going undrafted.
How much will VanVleet be paid? The Sporting News breaks down his deal.
Fred VanVleet contract details
VanVleet has signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the Rockets, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The contract has an average annual value of $43.3 million.
| Season | Estimated salary |
| 2023-24 | $40.8 million |
| 2024-25 | $42.8 million |
| 2025-26 | $44.9 million |
| 2026-27 | UFA |
Fred VanVleet career earnings
According to Spotrac, VanVleet has made a total of $81.4 million so far in his NBA career. That does not include his reported contract with the Rockets, which will increase his career earnings to over $200 million.
Fred VanVleet stats
Through seven seasons of his career, VanVleet is averaging 14.6 points and 5.3 assists per game.
VanVleet has started in 268 of his 417 regular season games. He helped the Raptors win a championship in 2019 and was named an All-Star in the 2021-22 season.
Here are VanVleet's stats by season:
| Season | PPG | APG | RPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
| 2016-17 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1.1 | .351 | .379 | .818 |
| 2017-18 | 8.6 | 3.2 | 2.4 | .426 | .414 | .832 |
| 2018-19 | 11.0 | 4.8 | 2.6 | .410 | .378 | .843 |
| 2019-20 | 17.6 | 6.6 | 3.8 | .413 | .390 | .848 |
| 2020-21 | 19.6 | 6.3 | 4.2 | .389 | .366 | .885 |
| 2021-22 | 20.3 | 6.7 | 4.4 | .403 | .377 | .874 |
| 2022-23 | 19.3 | 7.2 | 4.1 | .393 | .342 | .898 |
NBA's highest-paid point guards
VanVleet's deal sets him up to be one of the highest-paid point guards in the NBA next season.
According to Spotrac, there are only 12 other players at VanVleet's position projected to earn more than $30 million in 2023-24, including Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Ja Morant.
| Rank | Player | Salary |
| 1. | Stephen Curry | $51,915,615 |
| 2. | Damian Lillard | $45,640,084 |
| 3. | Luka Doncic | $40,064,220 |
| Trae Young | $40,064,220 | |
| 5. | Ben Simmons | $37,893,408 |
| 6. | Jrue Holiday | $36,861,707 |
| 7. | Darius Garland | $34,000,000 |
| Ja Morant | $34,000,000 | |
| 9. | Jamal Murray | $33,833,400 |
| 10. | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | $33,386,850 |
| 11. | De'Aaron Fox | $32,600,060 |
| 12. | Chris Paul | $30,800,000 |
| 13. | Kyle Lowry | $29,682,540 |
| 14. | Jalen Brunson | $26,346,666 |
| 15. | Mike Conley | $24,360,000 |
VanVleet declined a $22.8 million player option in his contract for the 2023-24 season to become an unrestricted free agent.
