As the excitement among the Houston fandom was just growing, they received news that could crash and burn any hopes they had of 2025-26. It was getting busy in Houston, with the team trading for two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant and revamping their offense. With less than a month left for the season to begin, the Houston Rockets have lost Fred VanVleet to an ACL tear.
With Fred VanVleet at the controls, Houston surged to 52 wins and locked down the West’s 2-seed. He averaged 14.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and a team-high 5.6 assists last season. Replacing their premier point guard before the season begins is a tall task, but not impossible. Fred VanVleet had just signed a new two-year, $50 million deal to remain in Houston and give his organization cap flexibility. Their roster cap situation remains complex, as they are $1.25M below the 1st apron. However, they can clear it through trades. But who will be the right player to match Houston’s aspirations?
Delon Wright (PG/SG)
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Age: 33.3 | YOE: 10
2024-25 Salary: $3.00M
Why He Fits:
Rockets have a young back-court phenom in Reed Sheppard, who was the third overall pick in 2024. He was supposed to be the long-term option beyond Fred VanVleet. With him out for the season, Sheppard’s progress could be fast-tracked, but he will need a mentor to help him in that role. Delon Wright could be that option. He is a defensive guard option who will give you clean minutes without hogging the ball too much.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Verdict: Wright will be a low-cost, plug-and-play stopper who guides the room without blocking the kids’ runway.
Russell Westbrook (PG)
Age: 36.8 | YOE: 17
2024-25 Salary: $3.39M
Why He Fits:
Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, for some, nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA Teamer Russell Westbrook has very few suitors. After spending the 2024-25 season with the Denver Nuggets, the 2016-17 NBA MVP was rumored to join the Kings, but that hasn’t materialized. Even at the age of almost 37, Westbrook gives you decent rim pressure and some outside shooting. He can anchor the non-Durant minutes while being a leader in the room as a former Rocket. Westbrook can even be a potential pick-and-roll partner for Durant to power the offense.
Verdict: Westbrook can be a big-game backbone and locker-room spark; he just needs crystal-clear marching orders.
Cameron Payne (PG)
Age: 31.1 | YOE: 10
2024-25 Salary: $3.00M
Why He Fits:
Payne is a veteran combo guard who brings instant offense, second-side pick-and-roll creation, and streaky but credible shooting. Payne could complement Houston’s young core and their uptempo system. Payne has historically been used as a change-of-pace guard who poses an outside threat. He will be comfortable giving the likes of Durant and Sengun the space they need while being an effective momentum breaker.
Verdict: High-IQ table-setter who keeps the gears humming, who is ideal as a bench captain with spot-start chops.
Gary Payton II (PG/SG)
Age: 32.8 | YOE: 9 |
2024-25 Salary: $8.71M
Why He Fits:
Payton gives the Houston elite perimeter defense and movement in the paint. Payton is an elite cutter to move defenses and open them up. He is more of a finisher rather than a creator while thriving off the ball. Once again, he will give space to the stars and youngsters in the team while still impacting games. Payton is a two-way menace with elite on-ball chops and relentless energy, and he’s brought that juice to every stop since 2016.
Verdict: Payton will be a culture-setter on a budget. If defense is the priority and money’s there, Payton II is the tone-setter.
Ben Simmons (PG/Forward)
Age: 29.0 (approx) | YOE: 8 |
Status: UFA (assumed or potential buyout candidate)
Why He Fits:
The 2018 Rookie Of The Year,2019 All Star, and 2020 All-Defensive First Team and All NBA, it has been a lull for Simmons since. Simmons will give Houston some creativity and help on defense. His versatility will be a useful weapon for Houston, and the 6-foot-10 playmaker still projects as a plus bench piece on defense. A defense-first coach like Ime Udoka could kick the tires if the role is clearly defined for the 28-year-old.
Considerations:
His injury history is marred by different issues. Simmons’ back acts up now and then after surgery in 2022, along with his knee. Continuous rinse and repair might be needed, which could limit his playing time . Considering they have already lost a point guard to injuries, the Rockets might want to avoid that. His scoring has died in recent years, which could be seen as unselfish but could limit Houston’s offense.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Verdict: High-risk, high-reward option. If healthy and motivated, Simmons could transform Houston’s defense and pace. But he’s far from a sure thing.
Even with any of the above additions, Aaron Holiday will also see more time in the backcourt rotation as a veteran point guard who can look to set Durant, Alperen Şengün, and Co. up for easier looks. With the loss of Fred VanVleet, Rockets fans could slightly limit their hopes going into the season, but Durant and Co. will look to still uphold the highest standards despite this loss.