The Houston Rockets will begin the 2025â26 season without their floor general. Veteran guard Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout and is expected to miss the entire year, according to ESPN. His absence immediately thrusts third-year guard Amen Thompson and second-year guard Reed Sheppard into larger roles as Houstonâs primary ball-handlers.
Amen Thompson Ready for the Spotlight
GettyAmen Thompsonâs versatility on both ends makes him Houstonâs key playmaker following VanVleetâs injury.
With VanVleet sidelined, the plan now shifts to Amen Thompson. The 6-foot-7 guard logged over 1,300 possessions at point last season, averaging 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 55.7% shooting. His length, athleticism, and defensive impact give Houston a versatile option to initiate offense, even if his 27.5% three-point shooting remains a concern.
On ESPNâs NBA Today, front-office insider Bobby Marks broke down the implications of VanVleetâs injury and how Houston will handle the sudden hit to its depth.
âYouâre going to get a healthy dose of Amen Thompson at point guard this year,â Marks said, adding that the Rockets donât have the financial flexibility to sign a veteran replacement. âHelp is not on the way,â he explained, noting that 80 percent of the roster canât be traded until December 15 because of offseason signings and extensions.
That puts the spotlight firmly on Thompson, who now must prove he can direct an offense featuring Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Åengün.
ESPNâs Kendrick Perkins went as far as calling him âa generational talentâ who could become one of the leagueâs best two-way players within a few years â praise that reflects both the trust and pressure being placed on him entering Year 3.
Reed Sheppardâs Shooting Could Be the X-Factor
GettySecond-year guard Reed Sheppard is expected to play a larger role in 2025-26 as the Houston Rockets look to adjyst without Fred VanVleet.
If Thompson is the driver, Reed Sheppard is the swing piece. The rookie guard saw limited NBA action last season, averaging 4.4 points in 12.6 minutes, but shined with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the G League.
He averaged 30.7 points in three games, including a 49-point outburst with eight threes, showcasing the shooting touch Houston desperately needs.
The Rockets ranked just 21st in the NBA in three-point percentage last year, and VanVleet was one of their few reliable spacers.
Perkins pointed out that losing him only deepens the shooting gap: âThey were one of the worst three-point shooting teams last season⦠Whoâs going to knock down shots outside of Kevin Durant?â Sheppardâs ability to translate his G League efficiency to the NBA could be what keeps Houstonâs offense from collapsing into the paint.
Big Picture: Still a Contender?
GettyHouston Rockets are still considered a top contender in the Western Conference despite the team losing one of their key rotation players.
The Rockets sit only $1.2 million below the first apron and canât add another player outright. Nearly 80% of the roster â including VanVleet and Åengün â is restricted from being traded until December 15. That leaves the backcourt rotation set: Thompson, Sheppard, and veteran Aaron Holiday until further notice.
But the Rockets are far from finished. Durant, Åengün, and Smith Jr. still form one of the leagueâs most talented frontcourts. Also the Rockets finished last season fourth in defensive rating and seventh in net rating. But VanVleetâs injury forces a different kind of test â one where Thompsonâs development and Sheppardâs shooting must fill the void.
If both deliver, the Rockets can stay competitive until trade options open in December. If not, what was supposed to be a steady climb toward contention could quickly turn into an uphill battle.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Amen Thompson Must Step Up as Rockets Lose Fred VanVleet appeared first on Heavy Sports.