The Houston Rockets are facing a major point guard crisis that dates back to September — well before the 2025-26 regular season even began.
Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during a team minicamp in the Bahamas, an injury that is typically season-ending. While modern sports medicine has advanced dramatically (ACL tears were once career-enders — see Cheryl Miller in the late 1980s who never returned), even the most optimistic timelines are challenging.
For context:
- Adrian Peterson tore his ACL (and MCL) on December 24, 2011, and returned for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 the following season (September 9, 2012) — roughly 8.5 months — and went on to win MVP.
- Using that as a high-water-mark benchmark, VanVleet would theoretically return around mid-May 2026.
- The Rockets’ regular season ends April 12, 2026. Playoffs begin shortly after.
VanVleet appeared on the Club 520 podcast (hosted by Jeff Teague) and was brutally honest when asked about his return:
“Yeah. For the most part. I mean, I’m pushing. Six months is crazy. Like, nobody really comes back in six months. I’m not ruling it out.”
When pressed to simply target a playoff return, he didn’t sugarcoat it:
“That would be insane. It would be insane. Like, I’m saying, I’m not even gonna keep playing with people, like ‘oh, I’m coming back’. It would be crazy but I’m not ruling it out.”
The Rockets had hoped to bridge the gap using Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
- Sheppard has mostly played off-ball (even in starts) and clearly isn’t fully trusted by coach Ime Udoka (e.g., he sat the final six minutes of the fourth quarter in Houston’s recent loss to the LA Clippers).
- Thompson is far more effective attacking downhill or roaming baseline — not as a true point guard.
The current best internal option appears to be JD Davison (on a two-way contract). He’s already been activated for 45 games this season — meaning he can only appear in five more before Houston must convert him to a standard NBA deal (or risk losing him).
The buyout market isn’t exactly overflowing with high-quality point guard replacements either.
Houston has survived thanks to its elite defense, rebounding identity, and strong play from Alperen Şengün, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and others — but the lack of a reliable floor general has been a visible limitation, especially in half-court offense and late-game situations.
Rockets fans, how concerned are you about VanVleet’s uncertain return timeline?
- Do you think he realistically makes it back for the playoffs (late April/early May)?
- Should Houston convert JD Davison to a full deal now and give him real run?
- Or is there a buyout/trade target you’d like to see them pursue before the deadline passes?
Drop your thoughts below — this point guard situation could define how far this young, talented Rockets team goes in 2025-26.