Rockets turn to in-house guards after Fred VanVleet’s ACL setback
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The Houston Rockets are preparing to manage the rest of the season without starting point guard Fred VanVleet, who suffered an ACL injury, and team officials intend to fill the playmaking void from within rather than look outside the organization.
Trade possibilities are slim: roughly half of Houston’s roster cannot be moved at this stage of the league calendar, and the franchise is pressed against the hard cap, which rules out free-agent signings. Even with one open roster spot, the Rockets sit too close to the first apron to offer a veteran minimum contract.
According to the Houston Chronicle, head coach Ime Udoka is expected to distribute additional ball-handling duties to rookie Reed Sheppard, second-year guard Amen Thompson and reserve Aaron Holiday.
Internal options
• Sheppard profiles most similarly to VanVleet thanks to his blend of three-point accuracy and passing.
• Thompson brings elite athleticism and excels as an off-ball cutter but can also initiate the offense when needed.
• Holiday provides steadiness and NBA experience off the bench.
Beyond directing the offense, VanVleet led Houston last season with 3.1 deflections per game and logged more screen assists than any Rocket outside the center position—areas the coaching staff will now have to cover by committee.
Source: Hoops Wire
