With training camp just over the horizon, the Houston Rockets have been dealt a devastating blow. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, with the injury likely to force him to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
As such, after providing Reed Sheppard with limited minutes in 2024-25, the Rockets have suddenly found themselves needing him to replace an All-Star and NBA champion.
VanVleet, 31, is coming off of a 2024-25 season during which he averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 three-point field goals made per game. He also went shot-for-shot with Stephen Curry during the second half of the Rockets' first-round series against the Golden State Warriors.