Rockets’ Fred VanVleet sidelined: 10 possible replacements

Talk about a gut punch. The Rockets had just pushed themselves into the NBA contender conversation by trading for Kevin Durant and signing Dorian Finney-Smith.

And then — boom — starting point guard Fred VanVleet goes down with a torn ACL before training camp even tips. Brutal.

As Brad Botkin of CBS Sports wrote, VanVleet may not be an All-Star by name, but for Houston, he was the guy who tied the whole thing together. Without him, the Rockets are left scrambling.

Amen Thompson will get a chance to run the show, Reed Sheppard could see an increased role … but realistically, Houston has to think trade.

Here are 10 names Botkin floated that might make sense:

Derrick White (Celtics): The dream option. White is as close as it gets to Jrue Holiday 2.0 — tough, winning, dependable. Boston would likely hang up the phone immediately, but the Rockets have the assets to make them think.

Andrew Nembhard (Pacers): Indiana’s a mess without Tyrese Haliburton, but Nembhard has starter-on-a-title-team upside. Botkin says Houston should make the call — though it might mean dangling Sheppard.

Jrue Holiday (Blazers): Speaking of Jrue … he’s older, pricier, and a little less effective than White, but also more gettable. Portland signed up for $105 million over three years, and Botkin questions why. Houston could be the escape hatch.

CJ McCollum (Wizards): Not the defender White or Holiday is, but still a proven scorer who can run offense in big moments. On an expiring deal, which keeps Houston’s books clean.

Payton Pritchard (Celtics): Maybe Botkin’s favorite fit. Undersized, but a sparkplug on both ends. He even wonders if Pritchard is basically what Sheppard might become down the road — so why not trade the projection for the present?

Jose Alvarado (Pelicans): Everyone loves “Grand Theft Alvarado.” Could he start for a contender? Maybe not, but in Houston’s guard-heavy setup, he wouldn’t have to.

Collin Sexton (Hornets): Buried in Charlotte these days, but can still put up numbers. Expiring contract, instant energy. Do the Rockets pay up now and then again next summer to keep him?

Ty Jerome (Grizzlies): Showed with Cleveland that he can swing big and sometimes hit. Memphis just signed him, but Houston could pry him loose if they’re willing to move a piece like Tari Eason.

Scotty Pippen Jr. (Grizzlies): VanVleet-lite. Steady defender, low-cost contract. Worth a future first if Houston gets desperate.

Anfernee Simons (Celtics): Boston may not view him as part of the long-term plan. Expiring deal, big scoring chops. Money lines up almost perfectly with VanVleet.

More NBA Rumors & News