Three point guard trade targets for Rockets

Fred VanVleet may be out for the season, and the Houston Rockets don't have a ready replacement on their roster. But they do have plenty of trade ammunition, though for now, half their roster won't be trade-eligible until Dec. 15, including VanVleet.

Any trade is complicated because of the Rockets' restriction as a team hard-capped at the first luxury tax apron. Still, here are three guards who could fill the Rockets' hole in the backcourt once their trade options open up.

1. CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards

The Wizards acquired McCollum in what amounted to a salary dump of Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to the New Orleans Pelicans. With a roster featuring 11 players with two or fewer years of experience, the Wizards might want McCollum as a mentor — but he could do plenty of mentoring through Dec. 15.

McCollum isn't a traditional point guard, but he averaged five assists per game as the Pelicans' de facto point guard. He shoots 39.7% from three-point range for his career and also plays better in the postseason, upping his scoring from 19.6 points to 20.1. One difficulty? McCollum makes $30.7M next season, meaning the Rockets would have to send additional salary to Washington, plus some draft picks as a sweetener.

2. Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets

Like McCollum, Sexton was acquired by the Hornets as a veteran mentor — but also as an expiring contract. Sexton might be best as a sixth man, but he's a capable passer and scorer (18.4 PPG last season) who has shot 38.7% on three-pointers for his career.

Sexton is a bit undersized, but so is VanVleet. Sexton is a dynamic offensive player, and the Rockets are as well-equipped as any team to cover for whatever his defensive deficiencies might be. Plus, he makes $19.2M this season, making a potential Rockets acquisition very straightforward for cap purposes.

3. Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are as overstocked at the point guard position as the Rockets are lacking. After re-signing Josh Giddey, they have Coby White, Tre Jones and Dosunmu all able to play point guard.

There's a number of factors that make Dosunmu the ideal fit. Like White, he's an impending free agent, which would keep the Rockets' books clear beyond this season. He makes only $7.5M this season, making salary matching much simpler. Plus, with Jones and Giddey on long-term contracts and White likely to come back next year, there's likely no place for Dosunmu in Chicago going forward.