Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season, derailing the team’s plans for the upcoming season.
The Rockets came out of the offseason as a major winner, landing superstar Kevin Durant without giving up much depth.
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NBA experts were predicting Houston to be serious NBA title contenders, even in a loaded Western Conference. After signing a new $50 million deal with the club this summer, VanVleet was expected to be a crucial player for the Rockets, handling the ball and distributing it to his teammates.
The Rockets’ roster lacks guards and ball-handlers, especially when compared to other title contenders, and VanVleet’s injury exacerbates the problem.
With training camp around the corner and the season starting in less than a month, the Rockets find themselves in a challenging position, making it tough to find a replacement.
According to a report from Jake Fischer at The Stein Line, the franchise plans to avoid making a rash move and will initially deploy internal solutions.