The Rockets’ best-laid plans for the upcoming season were dealt a crushing blow before training camp even tipped off. Fred VanVleet, the steady hand who dragged Houston out of its rebuilding years and into the thick of the Western Conference race, tore his ACL during a private workout, according to multiple reports. The injury all but rules him out for the entire 2025-26 campaign and leaves the Rockets scrambling for answers at the position that has defined their resurgence.

VanVleet’s impact on Houston goes far beyond his box score numbers. Since arriving in 2023, the former Finals hero transformed the Rockets from a 22-win afterthought into a 52-win contender, restoring playoff basketball to Toyota Center for the first time in half a decade. Now the franchise has decisions to make. Do they roll the dice on their young guards like Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard, patch the gap with veterans such as Aaron Holiday, or swing big in the trade market?

APHoops on X stirred the conversation with a sharp piece of speculation: “Think they will try Reed Sheppard first. If it doesn’t work and the Clippers stink or Kawhi gets suspended/voided… Clippers could probably get a good haul from Houston for James Harden.” With VanVleet sidelined for the season, the Rockets may look to fill the point guard spot via trade.

Reed Sheppard may get the first crack at filling Fred VanVleet’s shoes, but trusting a rookie to lead a 52-win team through a rugged Western Conference is a gamble. That’s why Harden, once the franchise cornerstone before exits in Brooklyn and Philadelphia and now wearing Clippers colors, has suddenly reappeared in Houston’s orbit.

After forcing his way out of Houston in 2021 and bouncing between Brooklyn and Philadelphia before landing with the Clippers, Harden has watched his reputation shift from MVP centerpiece to mercurial co-star. A reunion would be polarizing, but Houston’s point guard dilemma makes the conversation unavoidable. But why the Kawhi Leonard speculation?

The Clippers are walking a tightrope with Kawhi Leonard. Nobody knows if he’ll stay or if the team will part ways, and that uncertainty hangs over everything they do.

Ongoing concerns include an NBA investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention involving a $28 million endorsement deal, Leonard’s recurring injury issues, and the team’s strategic shift away from building their future around him. Multiple sources report that the Clippers are no longer focusing on Leonard as their centerpiece, intending instead to move on after his contract ends, which is likely after the 2026-27 season. 

Harden has already had a shaky role in L.A., and if the season starts badly, moving him could shift from an option to a necessity. For Houston, the timing is perfect, they have young talent, draft picks, and suddenly a big hole at point guard. VanVleet’s injury adds urgency, and the Clippers’ thin grip on Kawhi only makes a Harden reunion feel like a solution that could help both sides.

What are the other options for Rockets?

Apart from the obvious choice of James Harden, Houston has a well oiled machinery at work with it’s other players, not to forget the options it has to choose from. Alperen Şengün, for starters, who already averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists last season, is fresh off the EuroBasket with a silver around his neck.

Meanwhile Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason could see expanded minutes and shot opportunities. They may not perfectly replace VanVleet, and let’s be fair, it is not possible, but they can blend talent and versatility across positions to remain competitive in a stacked Western Conference.

These three players also stand out as potential targets.

Trae Young – The Atlanta guard is an elite playmaker and 3-point shooter. Houston could pair him with Durant, Şengün, and Thompson for a championship push. Young is also available due to trade rumors, as Atlanta has not yet extended his contract.

Jrue Holiday – A two-time champion and veteran leader, Holiday offers scoring, playmaking, and defense. Recently traded to Portland, he could be moved again, giving Houston a proven option at point guard.

T.J. McConnell – Known for his playmaking and defense, McConnell is one of the league’s best backup point guards. He could step into a starting role in Houston and stabilize the backcourt while the team develops its younger players.

The Rockets could also explore many free-agent options, which includes a potential reunion with Russell Westbrook. These moves would be aimed at keeping Houston competitive despite VanVleet’s loss.

Another implication of VanVleet’s absence is that it could accelerate the rise of Houston’s future stars. Şengün, in particular, has the potential to emulate the all-around style of Nikola Jokić, potentially pushing him into All-Star or even fringe MVP conversations if he maintains the rhythm. Meanwhile, the team’s overall responsibility falls on veterans like Kevin Durant, pairing him with Harden might work in favor of the Rockets.