The Rockets’ point guard picture looks a lot sturdier heading into next season, but the whole setup still comes with one giant asterisk: Fred VanVleet has to be right.
Houston is expected to roll into the year with VanVleet, Marcus Smart, and Reed Sheppard in the mix, a much deeper group than the one that was forced to survive without VanVleet last season. That absence hit hard. VanVleet missed the entire season after suffering a torn ACL, and Houston felt every bit of it while trying to piece together offense without its veteran organizer, championship-tested voice, and steady hand.
There’s no getting around the biggest question. VanVleet is 32 and coming off a major injury, so the Rockets have to wonder how close he can get to his old level.
ACL injuries aren’t the same career-wreckers they once were, thanks to modern medicine and rehab, but age still matters here. VanVleet also brings real value on defense, which makes his return even more important to monitor on both ends.
That’s where Smart changes the equation. Houston just signed him in free agency, and it’s an obvious boost.
He should fortify the backcourt immediately, especially as a backup point guard. Smart is a former Defensive Player of the Year, and his fit with Ime Udoka stands out since he played for Udoka in Boston.
He brings the kind of edge that shows up fast: energy, defensive intensity, leadership, and enough versatility to guard multiple spots and help run the offense. He also gives Houston playoff experience it can lean on.
Then there’s Sheppard, who made a nice leap in his second season. The former lottery pick is entering a key year, and he’ll more than likely spend most of his time as a shooting guard instead of a point guard.
That makes sense given his shooting ability and the fact that he looked very uncomfortable running the offense against experienced defenses. He’s only 21, so there’s still plenty of growth ahead, but his role could change quickly if injuries force Houston to reach deeper into the rotation again.
On paper, the Rockets have more talent and more cover at the position than they did a year ago. If VanVleet comes back close to form and Smart keeps bringing the level he’s known for, Houston should feel pretty good about its point guard room. But if the injury bug bites again, that same spot could turn into the team’s biggest problem in a hurry.
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