Fred VanVleet’s return could end up being one of the clearest swing factors for the Rockets this season.
After missing the entire 2025-2026 campaign because of an ACL injury, VanVleet is preparing to get back on the floor and reclaim his spot as Houston’s starting point guard. That possibility drew a strong endorsement from Draymond Green, who said on a recent episode of his podcast that the Rockets should feel the impact of getting VanVleet back.
Green tied it directly to the value of a team’s lead guard.
"You pull the point guard out of the equation, who’s also the leader of that team, Fred VanVleet. That’s brutal.
You go pull the point guard off of any team in the NBA, I don’t know if they’re going to compete at a high level. You pull the point guard off our team (Stephen Curry), we know what happens… everything crumbles.”
Draymond on how he views the Rockets going into this season"Everybody tried to ignore it last year, but Fred VanVleet's back, outside of KD, you pull the point guard out the equation, who's also by the way, the leader of that team, that's brutal!... you pull the point guard off… pic.twitter.com/OP94ihDUZw
Houston felt that absence last season. The Rockets still managed a 52-30 record, but they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Kevin Durant also missed most of the series against the Los Angeles Lakers, though the offense looked like it would have had problems even with him available.
VanVleet’s leadership has long been one of his calling cards, but the scoring has trended down since his lone All-Star season in 2022. He averaged 14.1 points per game in 2024-2025.
The Rockets do have other options in the backcourt if they choose to expand the rotation. Reed Sheppard, heading into his third season, posted 13.5 points, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals across 82 games last year, while also finishing in the top 10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Marcus Smart gives Houston another proven guard off the bench. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 62 games last season, and he already has history with head coach Ime Udoka from their Boston Celtics days.
There’s also room for rookie Bruce Thornton to force his way into the picture. He impressed in Summer League, putting up 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
Still, with Houston trying to raise its standing in a Western Conference loaded with contenders, VanVleet looks like the cleanest choice to open the season as the starter. Even with the options behind him, the Rockets’ biggest question at the position remains at point guard, and that’s a storyline worth watching as the season goes on.
In Other News...
Marcus Smart Is Giving The Rockets A Reason To Believe
Marcus Smart didnt need long to make his case in Houstons second preseason game, turning in a lively all-around effort that fit neatly with what the Rockets want from him. In 24 minutes, he brought scoring, rebounding and playmaking to the table, the kind of veteran presence that can stabilize a young roster and give Fred VanVleet another backcourt partner who can handle the ball or function away from it.
The bigger takeaway for the Rockets is how naturally Smarts versatility can slide into multiple lineup looks if the shot keeps following him. His three-point work was encouraging, and Houston will be watching to see whether cleaner shot selection can make that part of his game even more efficient as the season approaches. If it does, the Rockets may have more than just an experienced defender on their hands. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Opening Week Plan Sends An Early Message About Two Veterans
The Rockets are wasting little time making their rotation intentions clear in opening week. Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams will both sit the first back-to-backs to start the season, a move that says plenty about how Houston wants to handle two veterans it expects to lean on over the long haul. In Adams case, the approach fits a familiar pattern, with the team planning to manage his minutes and availability carefully after a lengthy injury history.
There is also an immediate ripple effect in the backcourt when VanVleet is unavailable. Instead of turning to Reed Sheppard, Houston plans to start Marcus Smart at point guard, giving the Rockets a more experienced hand to organize the offense while VanVleet rests. It is an early-season lineup wrinkle, but one that offers a useful glimpse at how the coaching staff sees the guard rotation unfolding when the schedule starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Open Against A Mavericks Frontcourt Problem That Could Matter Fast
Opening night brings the Houston Rockets a Dallas frontcourt that is already short-handed, and the matchup is shaped as much by availability as by star power. Kyrie Irving is set to make his return to NBA action for the Mavericks, but Dallas is dealing with several injured players and the big-man rotation is especially thin heading into the game.
Dereck Lively II is out because of right foot surgery, leaving an immediate hole in the middle for a team that could use every body it can get. Houston has its own injury watch to track as well, with Steven Adams and Julian Phillips listed as questionable, so the opening-week frontcourt picture is still fluid on both sides. [Read more 🡒]