The Houston Rocketsâ championship window took a sudden hit when Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending ACL injury, leaving the team scrambling for a replacement at point guard. Analysts have floated Boston Celtics guard Derrick White as a prime candidate to fill that void and help Houston maximize the window alongside newly acquired Kevin Durant.
The Ringer’s Bill Simmons called White âthe dramatic nameâ in potential trades for the Rockets.
âIf you basically turn this VanVleet situation into Derrick White with some of your picks and make a real run this year, could you actually win the title with Derrick White? I think thatâs a real question,â Simmons said on The Bill Simmons podcast.
Rocketsâ Young Talent Poised to Step Up
But if no trade materializes, the Rockets have no choice but to count on their young talent to fill the gap. Former lottery picks Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson are expected to take on larger roles in VanVleetâs absence. Thompson showed promise last season, while Reed can finally have the runway he did not have during his rookie year. The Rockets believe they could contribute significantly in a more prominent role, especially Thompson.
Amen, along with his twin brother Ausarâwho plays for the Detroit Pistonsâhas been singled out by NBA.comâs Steve Aschburner as a potential first-time All-Star this season, provided he continues to refine his offensive game.
âThe athletic ability of these twins is off the charts, so if either develops a more reliable offensive package, he could accompany an All-Star teammateâ[Alperen] Sengun or [Cade] Cunningham, respectivelyâas his teamâs second choice,â Aschburner wrote. âAmen already played on All-Star Sunday via the roundabout mini-tournament last year that included a Rising Stars unit. But weâre talking about the big gameâthe one that twins Dick and Tom Van Arsdale reached together in 1970 and 1971.â
Whiteâs Value to Houston
GettyCeltics star Derrick White was floated as a potential Fred VanVleet replacement.Â
White, 31, is entering the second year of a four-year, $126 million extension with a player option in the fourth year, giving Houston a multi-year solution if a trade is completed. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and nearly a steal per game last season while shooting 38.4% from three-point range.
On top of that, he is already familiar with coach Ime Udoka’s system.
Simmons argues that Whiteâs versatility and two-way impact would make him an immediate upgrade over VanVleet, providing scoring, playmaking, and defensive stability.
âHeâs a top-50 player,â Simmons said. âYouâre actually going from Fred VanVleet to Derrick Whiteâyouâve upgraded and made your team better.â
White’s Steep Price
Despite a potential interest from Houston, Bostonâs front office is unlikely to part with White cheaply. Zach Lowe noted the asking price would be high: âFor Boston, itâs like three first-round picks plus a young player. They would demand a lot for him, justifiably.â
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that White drew multiple trade offers last summer, including packages with two first-round picks and a swap, but the Celtics declined. NBA insider Jake Fischer emphasized that Boston would only consider deals akin to the Mikal Bridges trade, which cost the Knicks five first-round picks.
Rocketsâ Playoff Outlook
Houston is projected to be in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, with Durant and their young core poised to make a run. Acquiring White would provide an immediate boost, but the Rockets are prepared to rely on Sheppard and Thompson if a trade doesnât materialize.
With Durant’s first season in Houston approaching and VanVleet sidelined, the Rockets’ front office faces critical decisions on whether to pursue a blockbuster move or trust their rising stars to carry the team deeper into the playoffs.
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