Credit: Alex Slitz/Chris Coduto/Mitchell Layton/Nic Antaya via Getty Images

Houston Rockets told to learn from Timberwolves and Heat mistakes after Fred VanVleet injury, Kevin Durant couldn’t help

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Bergas Agung | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 7:30 AM ET

The Houston Rockets were considered favorites for next season, but their championship odds changed dramatically after Fred VanVleet’s injury.

The veteran guard suffered an Achilles injury and will likely miss the entire upcoming season, creating a massive void in their roster construction.

VanVleet’s absence eliminates their primary ball handler and playmaker, leaving the Rockets without an experienced floor general.

The Rockets could still have Aaron Holiday or Reed Sheppard, but neither of them has the experience to be the main point guard. Amen Thompson could be an alternative, but he’s not ideal either.

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Chris Vernon used the failures of Timberwolves and Heat to remind Houston Rockets the importance of a pure point guard

NBA podcaster Chris Vernon believes the Rockets must find a suitable replacement, citing historical examples of teams that struggled without proper point guard play.

Vernon referenced the Minnesota Timberwolves’ failed experiment without Mike Conley and Miami’s struggles trusting Tyler Herro in the point guard role.

“To me, the underrated thing is the guy that sets the table, the adult, the organizer. I can’t tell you how many teams I have argued about this. Because Phoenix said, ‘Oh, well, they could just have him do it’. No, you can’t,” Vernon explained.

He continued with multiple examples: “New Orleans said, ‘We could just put CJ McCollum at point’, no you can’t. San Antonio said, ‘Oh, we could just put Jeremy Sochan’, no, you can’t. And Minnesota tried to go away from Mike Conley last year, no. You can’t.”

The podcaster also highlighted Miami’s season-long struggle with Herro handling point guard duties as evidence that teams need dedicated floor generals regardless of their scoring ability.

“Miami last year, played a whole season basically without, right? Like, ‘Okay, we’ll just have Tyler Herro be the ball handler’. You still need the ball handling guy, you still need the guy that’s running the show whether or not that guy is a primary scorer,” Vernon stated.

Even Kevin Durant couldn‘t help, but space constraints limit Rockets’ replacement options

The Rockets might have Kevin Durant‘s offensive prowess, but Vernon also believes that he can’t raise the team’s level alone and that they still need a real point guard.

“[The Rockets might have Durant, but] so did Phoenix,“ said Vernon, citing how the Suns also struggled despite having a superstar on their roster.

However, the Rockets lack the financial flexibility to pursue meaningful free agent additions beyond veteran minimum contracts, which won’t yield adequate replacements.

Trading could be an option. Bill Simmons proposed a scenario involving Payton Pritchard from the Boston Celtics, but it was just speculation.

Vernon, then, concluded with a stark warning about the Rockets’ season outlook if they fail to address the point guard vacancy.

“This is a critical injury that demands replacement. And if they don’t replace him, yes, I will have them much further down in the standings that I would have previously,” Vernon stated.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: