Another year and it was another lackluster All-Star game although this time, the Rockets were at least represented on Sunday and throughout the weekend in the Bay Area. Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard all took part in the weekend festivities in some manner on the court.

Coming out of that we got some insight into how Sengun felt about the possibility of another format change to the All-Star game which he barely appeared in. Plus, news of Fred VanVleet potentially staying in Houston past this season and the latest NBA evaluations have the Rockets sitting pretty among some of the most valuable franchises in the league.

Fred VanVleet expected to be Rocket for the foreseeable future

Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet has one year remaining on his current deal with Houston. While rumors had circulated of him possibly being dealt before the trade deadline, the former All-Star remains in H-Town. Now that we’ve gotten past the trade deadline, some around the Association believe VanVleet will sign an extension with the team.

“Most around the league expect the Rockets to opt VanVleet out of his contract to re-sign him at a more reasonable number for the next few years (similar to what the Minnesota Timberwolves executed with Rudy Gobert),” per Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

While VanVleet has been a little banged up, missing time on the court in February, he still brings that veteran presence and sense of calmness to an overall young roster. He also brings a winner’s mentality knowing what it means and how difficult it is to win an NBA championship. VanVleet was in his third year in Toronto when they beat the Golden State Warriors for the title in 2019. That experience he picked up as a Raptor is what has made VanVleet such a valuable piece of this current Rockets lineup during his time in Houston.