Houston Rockets fans got devastating news Monday, as Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Fred VanVleet tore his ACL in a recent offseason workout.
The veteran floor general is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign while recovering from the knee injury, dealing a significant blow to the Rockets’ championship aspirations following their acquisition of 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in June.
While Amen Thompson, along with Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday, is expected to handle more ball-handling duties, Houston may eventually seek out another option at point guard. Sheppard saw limited playing time in his rookie season, and the team may ultimately decide he isn’t ready for an increased role yet.
MORE: Rockets’ Kevin Durant teases potential career change after retirement
Mock trade sends Tyrese Maxey to Rockets
Following VanVleet’s injury, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report put together a mock trade that would land the Rockets 2023-24 All-Star Tyrese Maxey from the Philadelphia 76ers, increasing Houston’s title chances in the 2025-26 season.
Here’s Buckley’s proposed trade:
Rockets receive: Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon
76ers receive: Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Fred VanVleet, Clint Capela, 2027 first-round pick (via PHO), 2029 first-round pick (most favorable of HOU, DAL and PHO)
This trade wouldn’t be executable until mid-December, giving the Rockets time to assess their backcourt group. The Sixers are also unlikely to trade Maxey unless their struggles and injury issues persist. Additionally, VanVleet has an implied no-trade clause, meaning he would need to approve the move.
Maxey played in a career-low 52 regular-season games due to finger, back and hamstring injuries last season. However, he isn’t far removed from his first All-Star nod and was a candidate to make the All-Star Game again in 2024-25, during which he averaged 26.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals across 37.7 minutes per game.
It would be challenging for Houston to pry Maxey away from Philadelphia, though Sheppard and Eason offer plenty of upside and could help a potential rebuild alongside Jared McCain and V.J. Edgecombe. Moreover, the Suns aren’t expected to contend after missing the playoffs last season and trading Durant, making the two included first-round picks valuable assets.