The Houston Rockets (32-19, 4th in West) stayed completely silent at the February 5 trade deadline — one of only three teams (alongside San Antonio and Boston) to make zero moves in one of the most active trade windows in recent memory.
GM Rafael Stone afterward pointed toward the buyout/free-agent market as the next opportunity to address needs — most urgently at point guard after Fred VanVleet’s season-ending torn ACL. The Rockets have been running the position by committee (Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday, etc.), but the results have been inconsistent: they rank 26th in turnover rate and have struggled to sustain half-court creation and pace control.
With the March 1 deadline for buyout players to be playoff-eligible approaching, here are three realistic veteran point guard targets Houston should strongly consider:
1. Chris Paul
Raptors acquire veteran guard Chris Paul as part of 3-team trade, avoiding luxury tax: reports | CBC Sports
Current status: Traded from Clippers → Raptors at deadline; Toronto is expected to waive him soon.2025-26 stats (small sample with Spurs before trade): 8.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.3 SPG
Why he fits Houston:Elite floor general and pick-and-roll maestro — exactly what the Rockets miss most without VanVleet.Still one of the league’s best decision-makers and low-turnover guards (career assist-to-turnover ratio remains elite).
Leadership and championship experience (even at 40) would stabilize a young core (Thompson, Şengün, Sheppard, Smith Jr.).
Can play off-ball when needed and space the floor (still shoots ~35–38% from three in spot-up situations).
Realistic role: 18–22 MPG as primary backup PG / secondary initiator — not asked to carry a huge load.Downsides: Age (40), defensive limitations, and potential reluctance from some fans due to his past Houston exit.
Likelihood: High. Paul has ties to Houston (2017–19), and a minimum deal makes him affordable.
2. Lonzo Ball
Jan 30, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Current status: Waived by Utah Jazz after brief trade from Cleveland; unrestricted free agent.
2025-26 stats (35 games, mostly Cleveland): 4.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 20.8 MPG (poor shooting: 30.1% FG, 27.2% 3PT)
Why he fits Houston:Elite connective passer and transition facilitator — can push pace and find Şengün/Thompson in open floor.
Defensive upside when healthy (career ~2+ steals per game pace, length to disrupt passing lanes).
Rebounding and assist rates for a guard remain strong (6.8 rebounds & 6.7 assists per 75 possessions).
At 28, still young enough to be a low-risk reclamation project on a minimum deal.Realistic role: 15–20 MPG as combo guard / secondary facilitator / perimeter defender.
Downsides: Shooting has never recovered post-knee surgeries (27% from three this year); durability remains a major concern (played sparingly since 2021-22).
Likelihood: Medium. Perfect low-risk flier if he shows any shooting flashes in workouts.
3. Dennis Schröder (or similar veteran backup PG)
Current status: Likely available via buyout (check latest reports; he was with Nets/others earlier).
Why he fits (if available):Quick, pesky on-ball defender who can pressure guards full-court.Capable pick-and-roll ball-handler who can get into paint and make simple reads.Veteran who has started on playoff teams and knows how to run an offense in short bursts.
Realistic role: 15–20 MPG backup PG who brings energy and defense.
Downsides: Inconsistent shooter and can be turnover-prone; not a high-ceiling option.
Likelihood: High if he clears waivers/buyout — classic minimum vet PG target.
Why PG Is Priority #1 in Buyout Market
VanVleet out for season (ACL).Thompson/Sheppard committee has led to high turnovers and inconsistent pace.Playoff teams need reliable secondary creation and ball security — Houston ranks poorly in both.A veteran PG on minimum deal carries almost no risk and huge upside if he stabilizes the second unit.
The Rockets are in the top tier of the West — they don’t need a star, just stability and depth. Adding one of these three (Paul highest floor, Ball highest upside, Schröder most realistic) could be the difference between a first-round exit and a deeper run.
Rockets fans — which of these three (Paul, Ball, Schröder) would you most want on a minimum deal? Or is there another buyout PG you’d target instead? Let me know your thoughts below — March 1 is coming fast!