Rockets guard Fred VanVleet suffers major injury
The Houston Rockets have been busy over the course of the NBA offseason, with the team determined to be in the title-contending conversation in the Western Conference, a conference stacked with contenders.
Unfortunately, the Rockets suffered a significant blow on Monday, with Shams Charania of ESPN reporting that veteran guard Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, which could potentially cost him the entire upcoming season.
Houston Rockets star point guard Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL and could miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season, sources told ESPN on Monday.
He suffered the injury at a recent offseason workout, sources told ESPN.
VanVleet recently signed a two-year, $50 million deal with the Rockets, with a player option for the 2026-27 campaign. He was expected to play a significant role on the squad, with the team aiming to be among the elite teams in the league after acquiring superstar Kevin Durant over the summer.
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With VanVleet out for a considerable amount of time, Houston will have to lean on other guards on the roster and can’t bring in another player.
This now places the focus at point guard on Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday, as well as the franchise’s ascending two-way stalwart Amen Thompson. Barring a trade, Houston cannot fill their one open roster spot with a free agent because they are $1.25 million below the first apron, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
An unfortunate setback for the new-look Rockets with such expectations for the 2025-26 season.
