Houston Rockets Point Guard Options With VanVleet Out For The Season

The Houston Rockets were dealt a crushing blow to their championship aspirations just weeks before the 2025-26 season tip-off. Former All-Star and starting guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during a recent workout and could potentially miss the entire 2025-26 season, as the injury recovery timetable is typically 7-9 months.

The devastating news came after the point guard spent time working out in the Bahamas last weekend. After a 2024-25 season in which the team finished second in the Western Conference standings with their first 50+ win regular season since 2017-18, and several key offseason acquisitions, the Rockets appeared primed to compete for their third NBA title.

A crucial part of the Rockets' lineup, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals last season. Although his stat line was lower than his first season in Houston, VanVleet proved to be a calming veteran presence on the court and an extension of head coach Ime Udoka.

With VanVleet sidelined, the Rockets will need to turn to their younger talent to fill the gap at the point guard spot. Of the options available, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday, and Amen Thompson could see a move to the starting floor general position.

In today’s NBA, very few teams have pure table-setting point guards as opposed to scoring point guards or combo guards. Of the Rockets' guards, Sheppard and Holiday are the two most likely options as guards looking to facilitate the offense first and get theirs second. It’s likely that Udoka will turn the ball over to Holiday, who has the most experience of the trio. Sheppard, who played sparingly last season, averaged 4.5 assists coming off the bench during his one-and-done season at Kentucky two years ago.

While it was assumed that Thompson would move into the starting shooting guard position after the trade of Jalen Green, another option now would be to put him at the point guard spot. An athletic guard entering his third season, Thompson has shown flashes of brilliance and possesses the size and speed to keep up with opposing point guards. A natural shooting guard/small forward, the move would put Thompson in an unfamiliar position.

If the Rockets decide that they want a more proven player at the point guard spot, especially with their “win-now” mentality, there are some viable options on the free-agent market.

Former MVP and teammate of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook is one of the most intriguing (fairy-tale) options, playing eight seasons together in Oklahoma City. The former Rocket is also familiar with big man Steven Adams, as the two teamed together on the Thunder for six years. Other veteran options include Monte Morris, Cameron Payne, Delon Wright, Reggie Jackson, and Patty Mills, each offering a different level of experience to the team. With the team bumped up against the first apron, the shopping spree would have to be very creative.

As a team with a lot of young assets, the Rockets could also put some of those players on the trade block in an attempt to lure a player like Jrue Holiday (Portland), T.J. McConnell (Indiana), or Anfernee Simons (Boston). While a trade for Holiday or Simons would have to wait a few months, they are options as the season heads towards the back half of the schedule.

The VanVleet injury certainly complicates Houston’s championship timeline, but it doesn’t close their window entirely. With Durant now 37 and other key veterans aging, the Rockets can’t afford to punt on this season. Whether they trust their young guards to step up or bring in a proven veteran, the decisions made in the coming weeks and early part of the season will determine if Houston can still compete at the highest level or if their title hopes will have to wait another year.