After Spending 7 Years With a Single NBA Franchise, Fred Vanvleet Sheds Light on His $130,000,000 ?Pressure?

Fred VanVleet has altered history with his new contract with the Rockets. He became the first undrafted player to sign a $100million+ contract in NBA. The deal in itself speaks highly about his capabilities. VanVleet began his career acting as 4th PG in the roster behind Raptors‘ Lowry, Cory Joseph and Delon Wright. Slowly, by seizing the opportunities, Fred enabled himself to be a valuable asset on a contending team.

VanVleet?s first season yielded 2.9 PPG on 35% shooting. He averaged 19.3 points per game on 52% in his latest season. He also has an NBA championship and an all-star appearance to add to his rapport.?

Fred VanVleet on His New Role

Fred sat on The Pivotal Podcast with Ryan Clark and Channing Crowder to talk basketball and life. Early in the interview, Channing asked Fred about the pressure of signing a $ 130 million three-year deal with a franchise he does not know, like the Raptors.

Fred replied, ?Yea, there’s definitely more pressure. There?s a lot of pressure. Obviously, when you sign that dotted line, anything, you know, nine figures. It?s pressure – from a franchise, from a city, from an ownership standpoint. You know they are putting a lot of money behind me and what I?m able to contribute.? Fred then summed up by saying, ?What I will say though is I think that being in the spot that the team is in right now, I think it?s really only up from here.”?

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Fred VanVleet is the definition of ?betting on yourself?. Due to his extensive experience and winning mindset, the Rockets want him to enhance their young squad. Further in the interview, Fred mentions that his goal for the season is to secure a playoff spot.?

Rockets Shifting Things Around for a Launching

Houston Rockets have been actively swaying through the 2023 Free Agency. Upon wasting no time in signing VanVleet, they then secured Dillon Brooks. Despite being on the wrong side of the news in the 2022 playoffs, Brooks knows well about synergising with young stars. The trade happened when the Rockets acquired seasoned vet Patty Mills and traded for Brooks. Dillon has agreed to a $80 million four-year contract with Houston.?

In another signing, the Rockets bring in a versatile veteran in Jeff Green. Adding a trusted role player backs up the organization?s goal of adding veterans around their young squad. This is Green?s second stint with the Rockets. Much like Vleet, Green will tap the talents of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun.

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While the Rockets are on a spree, VanVleet has already worked out with his new teammate Jalen Green. The franchise seems to have a new fire with a different approach to its success.?