Houston Rockets must Address Point Guard Issues in the Offseason

After beginning 2025 as a top-two seed in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets have skid down to the No. 5 slot since losing starting point guard Fred VanVleet to injury in early-February.

The team has been very dependent on its veteran guard's play this season, and has found it difficult to replace with its current roster construction.

The Rockets have shown that they have a real weakness that holds them back from becoming a true contender in the West, and it's their lack of depth at the guard position. Despite that, they decided to stay put in terms of making any major moves at the trade deadline.

With a big decision coming up on whether or not to keep VanVleet in the offseason, Houston must address its point guard issues in order to become a real championship contender.

Since VanVleet went down in early-February, the Rockets are just 3-6, with their latest loss coming to the now 14-42 Utah Jazz. During this stretch, Houston's offense has been in a bit of a funk, having trouble in its half-court offense without its lead playmaker.

The Rockets have also struggled closing out games without VanVleet, making mental errors down the stretch of close games.

Head Coach Ime Udoka told reporters after their loss to the Jazz Saturday night that the biggest challenge coaching his young team has been, "Consistent competitiveness and taking a jump in the IQ department."