[Saba Sports News] The Houston Rockets made bold moves by signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to lucrative contracts, signaling their return to competitiveness after three years of rebuilding.
Although these contracts faced criticism, Brooks has an extra incentive in the form of a $1 million playoff bonus, motivating him to contribute to a postseason berth.
Brooks’ $20 million annual deal with the Rockets raised eyebrows, particularly after his performance in the 2023 Playoffs. However, he’s a valuable regular-season defender, earning All-Defensive Second Team honors last season. His willingness to challenge even the biggest names in the game, despite drawing criticism from fans, players, and the media, adds to his appeal.
In the previous season, Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists with the Grizzlies. His move to Houston represents a recognition of his talent and his confrontational style.
The Rockets’ signings of Brooks and Fred VanVleet received significant criticism due to their subpar shooting percentages last season, which raised doubts about their offensive contributions alongside Jalen Green.
However, these contracts serve a purpose for the Rockets, helping them meet the salary floor requirement (spending 95% of the cap space) before the season begins.
VanVleet’s contract, with only two guaranteed years and over $82 million, could become a valuable trade asset in the near future, given the Rockets’ wealth of draft picks. Brooks’ deal spans four years and $86 million, a reflection of his All-Defensive status, but the lack of competition in the market likely contributed to this contract. Other teams were unlikely to offer more than the non-tax Mid-Level Exception (MLE) of about $11 million to Brooks on a short-term deal.
Ultimately, these signings allowed the Rockets to meet salary requirements and invest in defense-minded players under a new coach, aiming for immediate success.