The Houston Rockets were dealt a heavy blow before the start of the 2025-26 season, losing veteran point guard Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL before training camp even started.
The Western Conference's No. 2 seed last year can't afford to lose a step; they're built to win now and have a championship window after acquiring 37-year-old Kevin Durant this offseason.
The Rockets should be aggressive in looking to acquire a new starting point guard, and there are a couple of options available to them that could be the perfect stopgap.
Rockets Trade Idea Lands Coby White from the Bulls
In a trade proposal from Heavy.com, Houston would acquire point guard Coby White from the Chicago Bulls, giving up youngsters Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason in the process.
"For Houston, the urgency is obvious. Losing VanVleet is a huge blow for a team that just added Kevin Durant and is aiming to contend now. White would immediately give them a proven guard who can create, space the floor, and ease pressure on Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr.," wrote Keith Watkins.
"But the cost is steep. Sheppard, a recent lottery pick, and Eason, a versatile defender, are both key pieces of Houston’s young core. Trading both for White, who is on an expiring contract, would be a gamble."
While trading two young assets for a player entering the final year of his deal is certainly risky, the Rockets need to replace a proven commodity with a player who can produce on a nightly basis, and as talented as Sheppard and Eason are, they aren't a guarantee to fill the void left behind by VanVleet.
If White doesn't work out in Houston, he would be gone in 2026, or the Rockets could sign-and-trade him for more assets in the offseason. But in the best-case scenario, the former No. 7 overall pick finds a long-term home in Texas, and he could become the Rockets' long-term plan at point guard.
More Rockets news:
- Bill Simmons' trade idea lands Rockets a championship-caliber Fred VanVleet replacement
- Rockets urged to make Kevin Durant contract decision to avoid potential disaster
- Rockets trade idea lands $215 million All-Star guard
- Kevin Durant reportedly willing to give Rockets discount on contract extension
- Blockbuster Rockets trade proposal lands 21.8 PPG guard for Reed Sheppard