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8h ago

Rockets Rethink Point Guard Plan After Fred VanVleet’s ACL Tear

Cap and trade restrictions delay outside help, steering Houston toward in-house guards.

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Mar 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) smiles on the court before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Fred VanVleet tore his ACL in late September after re-signing on a two-year, $50 million deal and is expected to miss the 2025–26 season.
  • Amen Thompson is poised to get the first look at lead ball-handling, with Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday also in the mix.
  • Houston sits roughly $1.25 million below the first apron, limiting use of its open roster spot for a free agent absent a trade, according to ESPN analysis cited in reporting.
  • Because VanVleet signed this summer, he cannot be traded until Dec. 15, which pushes any major move into the season.
  • Media and analyst proposals for stopgaps include Anfernee Simons, Coby White, and even a Russell Westbrook reunion, though these are speculative and would carry cost and fit questions, while many still view the Durant-led Rockets as contenders.