The Houston Rockets also made splashes in the summer, particularly in acquiring Kevin Durant. The team seemed ready to win. However, a few weeks before the Media Day, Fred VanVleet tore his ACL. Houston needs a remedy with their longtime point guard gone–and now, Russell Westbrook is the name at the headline.

Westbrook is a former MVP, and he is a free agent who has not received numerous offers. The injury to VanVleet would provide him with an opportunity to come back. The Rockets do not have experienced point guards. The young players, such as Amen Thompson, would assist, but they are required to win quickly; hence, analysts are discussing going back with Westbrook.

VanVleet was the leader of the Rockets at the age of 31. His ACL was torn in a mini-camp in the Bahamas. ESPN reported to say it was a non-contact injury and that he will undergo surgery shortly. It will take nine to twelve months to recover after ACL injury, which means that Houston will be without their starting point guard most of the 2025-26 season.

It can’t come at a worse time. VanVleet scored an average of 14.1 points in the previous season and 18.7 points in the playoffs, showing that he is able to elevate in big occasions. His leadership and defense have assisted Houston in going down in the seed to 52 wins and No.2 in the West in terms of seed. The Rockets will be relying on young and inexperienced guards too much without him, and that is why Westbrook has become a leading prospect once again.

The Rockets boast a rich roster. Alperen Sengun shares the team with Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and such defenders as Dorian Finney-Smith. Houston retained other veterans, such as Steven Adams, Jae’Sean Tate, etc., to build strength in the bench. The team has good spacing, size, and adaptability, which makes it appear like a contender.

The position of a point guard is open. Amen Thompson is a good athlete who lacks consistency in shooting. Rookie Reed Sheppard may do more, but his size raises matchup concerns. It is the reason why people are speculating; not many veterans can provide the leadership, making plays, and pace that Westbrook provides.

Reasons why Russell Westbrook is the Right Fit for the Rockets.

Westbrook is one of the most energetic guards, although he is past his prime. He has averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in his one season with Houston in 2019-20, playing well with James Harden before a quad injury prematurely ended his playoffs. His fast-break playing altered the tempo of the Houston and that may assist a team that includes Durant and Smith in dispersing the floor.

Some believed that Westbrook had a chance of joining the Sacramento Kings when he became a free agent, but the speculations ended after the Kings retained Malik Monk. The crisis in the Rockets now puts Westbrook on the list of top choices once more. The salary limit complicates this: at the maximum salary, they are 1.2million above the maximum limit, hence they cannot sign him immediately. A trade or a mid-season exception would be required. Nevertheless, it is probable that he will be taking the team back due to his history with the club and the pressing requirements of the team at guard.

Westbrook is not the solution that everyone believes. Opponents note that he has a low shooting percentage and shoots a lot, something conflicts with the modern spacing of Houston. VanVleet could score a lot of threes and guard bigger guards- something that Westbrook has lacked.

Moreover, some executives believe that Westbrook is an employee who should be offered low wages because he is on a second-team, rather than on a championship team with minimal cap space. The Rockets would be better off putting emphasis on Thompson and advancing their younger players as opposed to recruiting back an older star.

However, in case Durant is retained in Houston and the probability of winning is slim, the Rockets might not have the time to lose. That urgency makes Westbrook still the subject of conversation.

The intriguing twist in the career of Westbrook is apparent in this moment, no matter whether he is signed by Houston or not. In 2017, he was traded to Washington, the Lakers, the Clippers, and the Nuggets after he had a record triple-double in the season. He has turned into an acclaimed and disparaged man.

Westbrook currently has the record of the most triple-doubles in history with 202, is a 9-time All-Star, and was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Last season in Denver, he averaged 14.1 points and 8.9 assists off the bench, which demonstrates that he is able to contribute to a team when a distinct role is assigned to him. The actual one is whether Houston views him as a temporary solution or simply a nostalgic piece.

The Rockets had a win-now plan, but the tear of the ACL of VanVleet altered everything. It is now their duty to choose either to pass the ball to young people or to revive Westbrook and have another run. Westbrook is not faultless, but he possesses good credentials. To a team that would love to have most of Kevin Durant during the remaining years of his career, this could be the life raft that the Rockets and Westbrook will seek.