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Fred VanVleet of the Houston Rockets suffers an ACL injury that throws a monkey wrench on their championship bid.
The Houston Rockets’ championship window took a sudden hit when Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending ACL injury, leaving the team scrambling for a replacement at point guard. Analysts have floated Boston Celtics guard Derrick White as a prime candidate to fill that void and help Houston maximize the window alongside newly acquired Kevin Durant.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons called White “the dramatic name” in potential trades for the Rockets.
“If you basically turn this VanVleet situation into Derrick White with some of your picks and make a real run this year, could you actually win the title with Derrick White? I think that’s a real question,” Simmons said on The Bill Simmons podcast.
Rockets’ Young Talent Poised to Step Up
But if no trade materializes, the Rockets have no choice but to count on their young talent to fill the gap. Former lottery picks Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson are expected to take on larger roles in VanVleet’s absence. Thompson showed promise last season, while Reed can finally have the runway he did not have during his rookie year. The Rockets believe they could contribute significantly in a more prominent role, especially Thompson.
Amen, along with his twin brother Ausar—who plays for the Detroit Pistons—has been singled out by NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner as a potential first-time All-Star this season, provided he continues to refine his offensive game.
“The athletic ability of these twins is off the charts, so if either develops a more reliable offensive package, he could accompany an All-Star teammate—[Alperen] Sengun or [Cade] Cunningham, respectively—as his team’s second choice,” Aschburner wrote. “Amen already played on All-Star Sunday via the roundabout mini-tournament last year that included a Rising Stars unit. But we’re talking about the big game—the one that twins Dick and Tom Van Arsdale reached together in 1970 and 1971.”
White’s Value to Houston
GettyCeltics star Derrick White was floated as a potential Fred VanVleet replacement.
White, 31, is entering the second year of a four-year, $126 million extension with a player option in the fourth year, giving Houston a multi-year solution if a trade is completed. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and nearly a steal per game last season while shooting 38.4% from three-point range.
On top of that, he is already familiar with coach Ime Udoka’s system.
Simmons argues that White’s versatility and two-way impact would make him an immediate upgrade over VanVleet, providing scoring, playmaking, and defensive stability.
“He’s a top-50 player,” Simmons said. “You’re actually going from Fred VanVleet to Derrick White—you’ve upgraded and made your team better.”
White’s Steep Price
Despite a potential interest from Houston, Boston’s front office is unlikely to part with White cheaply. Zach Lowe noted the asking price would be high: “For Boston, it’s like three first-round picks plus a young player. They would demand a lot for him, justifiably.”
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that White drew multiple trade offers last summer, including packages with two first-round picks and a swap, but the Celtics declined. NBA insider Jake Fischer emphasized that Boston would only consider deals akin to the Mikal Bridges trade, which cost the Knicks five first-round picks.
Rockets’ Playoff Outlook
Houston is projected to be in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, with Durant and their young core poised to make a run. Acquiring White would provide an immediate boost, but the Rockets are prepared to rely on Sheppard and Thompson if a trade doesn’t materialize.
With Durant’s first season in Houston approaching and VanVleet sidelined, the Rockets’ front office faces critical decisions on whether to pursue a blockbuster move or trust their rising stars to carry the team deeper into the playoffs.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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