When Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks signed with Houston in the NBA’s 2023 free agency window, the Rockets were coming off three straight seasons with the worst record in the Western Conference. Each had 22 wins or fewer.
VanVleet was formerly with the Toronto Raptors, and Brooks the Memphis Grizzlies.
With those two veterans playing key roles and quickly becoming locker-room leaders, the Rockets surged to 41-41 (No. 11 in the West) in their first season together. During year two, the team improved even more, as evidenced by their 52-30 record and a spot at No. 2 in the West standings.
But from a combination perspective, there won’t be a year three. That’s because Brooks (for both basketball and financial reasons) was part of the trade package that Houston sent out earlier this week to acquire All-Star forward Kevin Durant from the Suns.
Late Monday, VanVleet used his Instagram account to post farewell messages to both Brooks and Jalen Green, who were both traded in the Durant deal.
“Dillon Brooks, real warrior, thank you for shifting the culture with me,” VanVleet posted in a story while tagging his former teammate.
Brooks, 29, responded on his page by simply saying “Brothers,” accompanied by a hand-shake emoji.
To Green, a young talent who VanVleet helped to mentor and guide over the past two seasons, the veteran simply wrote: “Proud of you,” followed by a heart emoji. Like Brooks, Green is also headed to Phoenix.
Both of VanVleet’s posts included game photos of him playing alongside Brooks and Green, both during their two years together as Houston players.
Regarding VanVleet’s future, the Rockets have a decision to make this week regarding his $44.9-million team option for the 2025-26 season. But regardless of whether it is turned down (with a new contract subsequently negotiated) or picked up, the 31-year-old is expected to stay in Houston as the starting point guard for at least another season.
As for the new-look starting lineup, Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. appear poised to replace Green and Brooks alongside the three mainstays of VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and All-Star center Alperen Sengun.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets leader Fred VanVleet bids kind farewell to Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
