Following their trade for 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets are well-positioned to contend for a title. But Fred VanVleet’s knee injury could be a major obstacle.
The veteran point guard is in jeopardy of missing the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his ACL in late September, leaving Houston with a tough decision in its starting five. With an already thin backcourt, the Rockets and head coach Ime Udoka will need to figure out a replacement quickly.
Amen Thompson is expected to shoulder more ball-handling responsibilities, but the Rockets still appear likely to start another guard alongside him. Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, saw limited minutes as a rookie but may be thrust into a bigger role. Aaron Holiday is another candidate to join the first unit, though he’s started just four games for Houston over the past two seasons.
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Ime Udoka offers update on starting five
While the Rockets continue to evaluate the fifth spot in the starting lineup, Udoka said Thursday that four starters are already locked in, according to Lachard Binkley of Rockets on SI.
“For the most part we have four guys penciled in and we’ll figure out what to do with the fifth,” Udoka said.
I asked Ime Udoka with the injury to Fred and the depth especially in the front court will the starting lineup be more fluid based on matchups or a consistent five.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 2, 2025
“ For the most part we have four guys penciled in and we’ll figure out what to with the fifth.” pic.twitter.com/FbJPaKKILf
Those four guys are expected to be Durant, Thompson, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. That leaves the final guard spot likely to come down to Sheppard or Holiday — unless Houston looks elsewhere.
The Rockets could still explore the trade market, especially with Tari Eason set to become a restricted free agent next offseason if the club doesn’t extend him by the deadline on Oct. 20. With plenty of frontcourt depth, Eason could be dangled in a deal for backcourt help if talks stall.
As Houston chases its first title since 1995, the battle for the fifth starter spot will be one of the main storylines heading into preseason action.
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