The Houston Rockets are not in a hurry to replace Fred VanVleet at point guard after his injury, but it’s hard not to think they’re already weighing their options.
It’s worth noting that Houston cannot easily add a point guard or any other player until December 15, with the team sitting just $1.2 million under the first-apron hard cap. Before that date, their only realistic path to making a move would involve trading away valuable assets such as Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Alperen Sengun, or Tari Eason.
Newcomer Kevin Durant gives Houston some cover, so it’s not difficult to picture them holding steady until December 15 without changes. The tougher part comes later. Do the Rockets hold onto VanVleet and bring in an insurance point guard, or flip him for a more impactful piece instead?
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley leaned toward the second scenario, mentioning Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey as a possible replacement.
Houston Rockets receive: Tyrese Maxey and Eric Gordon
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Fred VanVleet, Clint Capela, a 2027 first-round pick (via PHO) and a 2029 first-round pick (most favorable of HOU, DAL and PHO)
“Someone like Maxey. While he’d awfully hard to pry out of Philadelphia, he’d be all-caps GREAT if the asset-rich Rockets could pull it off. He’s a star in his own right, but the fact he can play on or off the ball means he’s built to shine bright alongside other stars, like Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün. That’s a terrifying-on-paper trio on the offensive end, and remember, the Rockets had the fifth-best defense this past season.
Since this deal couldn’t go down until mid-December—and, notably, would require VanVleet’s approval, since he has an implied no-trade clause—that’s just enough time for the Sixers to potentially realize that their current core is doomed. They might have to start considering their long-term future, one that might be navigable without Maxey, depending on how the front office feels about Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe and a potentially re-signed Quentin Grimes.”
