Latest news with #FredVanVleet
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rockets guard Fred VanVleet elected president of NBA players union
Veteran guard Fred VanVleet is widely viewed as a leader for the Houston Rockets, and now his leadership voice has an even larger platform. As first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, VanVleet was elected as the new president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), succeeding CJ McCollum of the Washington Wizards. VanVleet "is regarded as someone who has seen every level of competition and exhibits advocacy for the union,' Charania writes. He adds: VanVleet was voted NBPA president during the Board of Player Representatives meeting and will begin a four-year term immediately. McCollum's term expired and he will transition to an advisory role, sources said. McCollum, who served as president for the past four years and previously was an executive vice president (2018-21), led the NBPA in negotiations to complete the seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 2023. As Charania noted, VanVleet has set records for the highest-paid contracts by an undrafted player. He recently re-signed with the Rockets on a two-year deal worth $50 million, with a player option for the second season. The soonest opt-out date for the current CBA labor pact between the NBA and NBPA is after the 2028-29 season. Thus, VanVleet's current four-year term will overlap with the decision regarding whether to opt out and any associatied negotiations. 'It's truly an honor to be elected as president of the NBPA by my peers, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members,' VanVleet said in a statement issued by the NBPA. 'With a deep appreciation for the complexities and challenges players face on all levels of their NBA journeys, I am committed to approaching this role with the passion, dignity, and dedication every player deserves." Beyond the court, VanVleet is committed to philanthropy and advocacy. In recent years, he founded The VanVleet Family Foundation (VFF), which aims to increase access and exposure for youth through educational opportunities, athletic programs, and career development. As a father of three, VanVleet demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the court, according to the NBPA's statement. 'It's been a privilege to serve on the NBPA Executive Committee for the past seven years and uniquely shape the business of our game,' McCollum said in the NBPA's press release. 'I am encouraged by the future of the PA under Fred's leadership, as he has earned the basketball community's respect and has proven he is ready for this next step. I look forward to supporting him as we continue building a stronger Association that serves past, present, and future generations of players.' Under VanVleet's guidance, other members of the new NBPA Executive Committee are Grant Williams, Mason Plumlee, Jaylen Brown, Jaren Jackson Jr., Donovan Mitchell, Garrett Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Gabe Vincent. More: Rockets gain spending power by restructuring Fred VanVleet to two-year, $50-million deal This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets guard Fred VanVleet elected president of NBA players union
Canada News.Net
18-07-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Fred VanVleet elected president of the National Basketball Players Association
(Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images) Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, the union for current professional basketball players in the NBA, the NBPA announced today. The 31-year-old was elected by his fellow NBA players and will serve a four-year term starting immediately. 'It's truly an honor to be elected as President of the NBPA by my peers and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members,' VanVleet said. 'With a deep appreciation for the complexities and challenges players face on all levels of their NBA journeys, I am committed to approaching this role with the passion, dignity, and dedication every player deserves.' The NBPA negotiates collective bargaining agreements, files grievances on behalf of players and educates players about benefits and post-NBA career opportunities, among other responsibilities, according to a statement from the NBPA today. VanVleet has dedicated himself to philanthropic and advocacy efforts off the court. He founded the VanVleet Family Foundation in 2016, an organization with a mission 'to increase the access and exposure for the youth through educational opportunities, athletics, and career development.' He succeeds CJ McCollum, who had served as NBPA president since 2021 and will now serve in an 'advisory capacity.' 'It's been a privilege to serve on the NBPA Executive Committee for the past seven years and uniquely shape the business of our game,' McCollum said. 'I am encouraged by the future of the PA under Fred's leadership, as he has earned the basketball community's respect and has proven he is ready for this next step. 'I look forward to supporting him as we continue building a stronger Association that serves past, present, and future generations of players.' VanVleet has had an unlikely career path in the NBA. After four years at Wichita State, he signed with the Toronto Raptors as an undrafted free agent. He spent time in the G League in his rookie year before developing into an All-Star, NBA champion and eventually the highest-paid undrafted player of all time. He has averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 assists per game in his nine-year career with the Raptors (2016-23) and Rockets.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top NBA free-agent point guards: Damian Lillard returns to the Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks under the stretch provision certainly changed the landscape for the Bucks, who used the flexibility to sign free-agent center Myles Turner. But Lillard's availability also impacted the free-agent market. A number of teams pursued him even though he will not play next season. He ultimately agreed to return to the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million contract. Let's look at the rest of the point guard free-agent market. (Note: Positions are being determined off Basketball-Reference's positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes. So if you're looking for James Harden and Kyrie Irving, you'll find them in the shooting guard section.) Free-agent position rankings: Shooting guards | Small forwards | Power forwards | Centers 1. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets Status: Agreed to a 2-year, $50 million deal Since becoming an All-Star in 2022, VanVleet has seen his scoring diminish every year since. That doesn't mean he isn't important to the Rockets as their main facilitator, but almost $45 million for a guy who barely cracked 14 points and didn't even crack 38% shooting overall is a lot. Given that this year's market flat-out isn't flush with cash, the Rockets were wise to decline the $44.9 million option and negotiate a deal at a lesser price. 2. Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs Status: Unrestricted free agent Paul loved his stay in San Antonio, which is worth noting in terms of his future, but the franchise did not make the postseason, which you have to assume is a priority to him. Also a priority is spending time with his family, which means he's likely exploring all angles. At 40 years old, could one of those options be retirement? What makes sense: With Paul residing in California, and the Lakers acquiring Luka Dončić this past season, it may make sense to link up with him and LeBron James, the latter of whom is a close friend. 4. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers Status: Agreed to a 3-year, $42 million deal Lillard unexpectedly his the free-agent market while also rehabbing a torn Achilles. That didn't matter to the Trail Blazers, who were interested in bringing back one of the greatest players in franchise history. Lillard is a future Hall of Famer and one of the best shooters in league history. He also isn't going to play next season while he recovers. 3. Tyus Jones, Orlando Magic Status: Agreed to a 1-year, $7 million deal Jones' plan of signing with the Suns for a starting role and perhaps competing for a title didn't go as planned as Phoenix failed to make the postseason. Could this influence his value? Given that he signed a minimum deal last summer, the arrow only points up. The 29-year-old remains one of the league's most secure ball-handlers and a strong 3-point shooter (41.4%), which virtually everyone has a use for. Being a backup point guard on a good Magic team is a fine role for Jones. 4. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls Status: Restricted free agent The raw numbers make Giddey look like a future All-Star, but the advanced numbers unearth several concerning areas, such as a general shooting inefficiency and defensive issues — two key elements for most highly paid players in today's league. Chicago, however, appears to love the guy, which raises the question: Will it make him an offer outright, as opposed to letting him go through restricted free agency? If the Bulls jump the gun, that could add several million onto the books. What makes sense: The Bulls hold all the cards here. Entering free agency believing otherwise could prove catastrophic. Let someone else dictate his market, because odds are good no one will break the bank for him despite the headline-grabbing stats. 5. Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies Status: Agreed to a 3-year, $28 million deal There's no question Jerome turned in one of the most surprising seasons of any player in the league, as he carved out a role for himself on one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, thus significantly raising his own value. Jerome will add depth and shooting to the Grizzlies' backcourt as they retool around the newly extended Jaren Jackson Jr. Best of the rest 6. Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards Status: Unrestricted free agent The 32-year-old is efficient and effective when on the floor, but his injury history indicates his floor time will be limited. Teams are keenly aware of this, so while he'll have several suitors, don't expect anyone to hand out a large contract. He'd make an interesting fit with the Lakers as a backup to Luka Dončić. 7. D'Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks Status: Agreed to a 2-year, $13 million deal Russell has reached the point in his career, where the secret is out. He's not year-to-year consistent in his performance, and his defensive warts remain substantial. He can score a bit, shoot a bit and pass a bit, but rarely put it all together. 8. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings Status: Agreed to a 3-year, $45 million deal Schröder is capable, he's fast and he can get you points if you need them, even if you need them at a scaled up capacity. However, he remains an iffy shooter, his defense isn't what it once was, and he's getting older.
News18
13-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Houston Rockets' Fred VanVleet Elected NBPA President; Vows To Advocate For NBA Players
Last Updated: July 13, 2025, 20:32 IST Rockets' Fred VanVleet (X) Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been elected President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the official labor union representing NBA players, the NBPA announced today. The 31-year-old veteran, chosen by his fellow players, will begin a four-year term effective immediately, taking over leadership of the organization that represents the voices and rights of NBA athletes both on and off the court. 'It's truly an honor to be elected as President of the NBPA by my peers, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members," said VanVleet in a statement released by the NBPA. 'With a deep appreciation for the complexities and challenges players face on all levels of their NBA journeys, I am committed to approaching this role with the passion, dignity, and dedication every player deserves." As NBPA president, VanVleet will oversee key responsibilities including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, filing player grievances, and educating players on benefits and post-career opportunities. The role places him at the forefront of shaping the future of NBA labor relations and player empowerment. VanVleet succeeds CJ McCollum, who has held the position since 2021. McCollum will remain involved in an advisory capacity. 'It's been a privilege to serve on the NBPA Executive Committee for the past seven years and uniquely shape the business of our game," said McCollum. 'I am encouraged by the future of the PA under Fred's leadership, as he has earned the basketball community's respect and has proven he is ready for this next step. I look forward to supporting him as we continue building a stronger Association that serves past, present, and future generations of players." VanVleet's Journey: From Undrafted to Union Leader VanVleet brings a unique perspective to the presidency, shaped by an unlikely rise in professional basketball. After going undrafted in 2016 out of Wichita State, he signed with the Toronto Raptors and spent time in the G League before earning a permanent role on the main roster. View All Nehal Wadhera Hopes To Make India Call-Up And Excited To Play With Shreyas Iyer | Interview | News South Africa Suffer Huge Setback as David Miller Gets Injured Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 IND vs ENG 3rd T20I: Key Changes India Are Expected to Make in Their Playing XI In Rajkot Yuvraj Singh To Join Delhi Capitals Coaching Staff For IPL 2025: Reports | Indian Premier League BREAKING: ICC Reveals Shocking Ratings of T20 World Cup Pitches View all He eventually played a key role in the Raptors' 2019 NBA Championship run, became an NBA All-Star, and is now the highest-paid undrafted player in league history. Over his nine-year career with Toronto and now Houston, VanVleet has averaged 14.9 points and 5.7 assists per game. Beyond the hardwood, VanVleet has established himself as a leader and advocate. In 2016, he launched the VanVleet Family Foundation, dedicated to increasing access and opportunity for youth through education, athletics, and career development.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets' Fred VanVleet elected new president of NBPA, succeeding CJ McCollum
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was elected the new president of the National Basketball Players Association during the Board of Player Representatives meeting on Saturday. He will begin a four-year term immediately, succeeding CJ McCollum. Advertisement VanVleet recently signed a two-year, $50 million contract to stay in Houston. The veteran guard won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and was named an All-Star in 2022. He also set records for the highest-paid contract for an undrafted player. McCollum, who was recently traded to the Washington Wizards, saw his term expire. He had served as NBPA president since August 2021. In 2023, McCollum led the players' association in negotiations to complete a seven-year collective bargaining agreement. He's expected to stay involved in the NBPA, moving into an advisory role. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rockets' Fred VanVleet elected new NBA players association president
