Kevin Durant was supposed to elevate the Houston Rockets when he arrived via a blockbuster trade in 2025. Although they secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference, they still exited the postseason in the first round.
The team badly needs a reliable point guard, as its primary playmaker, Fred VanVleet, missed the whole season due to ACL and meniscus injuries. However, he’s set to return, opting into his $25 million player option for the 2026-27 season. A healthy version of VanVleet could be the piece that can fix the Rockets’ biggest problem.
The one-time NBA champion played 60 games in his second season with Houston and averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 35.2 minutes. He became the primary playmaker alongside young players Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, also spacing the floor and organizing their half-court execution.
VanVleet’s shot-making was relevant when it mattered, especially in their first-round series against the Golden State Warriors, where they pushed them to seven games. His numbers were not eye-popping, but VanVleet became the main engineer of head coach Ime Udoka’s plays, and his absence in the 2025-26 season arguably defined the team’s fate.
The nine-year veteran brings his championship resume to the table, and his impact on the incredible turnaround of the Rockets’ rebuild is undeniable. Even though they have a young core of Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, they still need a veteran floor general who can close games for them.
Without VanVleet, Houston finished near the bottom of the league in assists, ranking 21st with 25.4 per game. He gives the Rockets pick-and-roll timing with Sengun, lob passes to Thompson, kick-outs to Durant and shooters along with limited turnovers.
His availability also relieves pressure off Sheppard’s shoulders to immediately make an impact on playmaking and allows him to return to his role as a secondary shot creator, where he can thrive.
However, the biggest question mark of VanVleet’s comeback is his age at 32. It remains to be seen how his body responds, as his minutes are expected to be restricted, especially coming off major injuries.
His most reasonable stat forecast is between 12-15 points and 6-7 assists per game, with slightly reduced usage alongside Durant. With him as the primary playmaker, the Rockets can realistically win at least 52 games and be a dangerous team come playoff time. Next season is also a make-or-break year for VanVleet because it’s the last year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
If healthy, VanVleet is likely the missing piece for the Rockets, especially on offense. The team has the right players to compete in the tough conference, but the veteran guard could be the glue that makes everything work.
