Rockets face a massive barrier to replacing VanVleet - and it could doom them

Houston Rockets v Golden State Warriors - Game Four | Ezra Shaw/GettyImagesAs the Houston Rockets face a disastrous scenario, with starting point guard Fred VanVleet possibly out for the season with an ACL injury and limited backcourt depth, the team is already in a sticky spot attempting to cobble together a rotation.

Yet, the situation has become even more dire with the revelation that, due to their proximity to the first apron, the Rockets are almost entirely hindered from replacing VanVleet through the open market.

Although they do have players like Amen Thompson, Aaron Holiday and Reed Sheppard who can perhaps take over the role for the time being, none of those players are proven…