The Houston Rockets have been dealt a devastating blow today, as starting point guard Fred VanVleet will reportedly be out for nine to 12 months after sustaining a torn ACL. Making matters worse is that the team has virtually zero options in finding a capable replacement, and adding former Charlotte Hornets wing Josh Okogie has turned out to be a hindrance to Houston's flexibility.
One of the Rockets' thrusts this summer upon landing Kevin Durant in a blockbuster deal was bringing in 3-and-D reinforcements. Okogie happened to be one of their roster additions after the trade, and it looked like a solid move, given the veteran wing's ability to play three positions, guard with high intensity, and shoot decently from long range.
Unfortunately, signing Okogie came at the expense of the possibility of bolstering their backcourt depth because of limited open roster spots. Before the reports of VanVleet's injury surfaced, Houston was already thin at the guard spots. Now, it has to rely on Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and Aaron Holiday to hold down the fort.
Aside from the lack of roster space, the Rockets are also only $1.25 million below the first apron, and the current CBA bars them from signing another player right now unless they execute a salary-clearing move first.
So, it appears that the organization will just have to hope that its current crop of guards can step up as playmakers. The silver lining is that Durant and Alperen Sengun are adept at being offensive hubs, although Sengun taking another leap in his journey to becoming a perennial All-Star could have Charlotte regretting its 2021 draft decision some more.
Hornets couldn't help Rockets even if they wanted to
Interestingly, Buzz City would have been in a prime position to capitalize on the Rockets' need for help had it carried more roster flexibility entering training camp.
If it had more roster spots, it could have taken on one of Houston's contracts to allow the Western Conference contender to seek another guard in free agency. Jae'Sean Tate could have been an ideal target for the Hornets, although the Rockets are unlikely to make him available in trade talks.
Perhaps the best thing Charlotte can do is wait to see how things play out and check later in the regular season if it can capitalize on the Rockets' desperation and land some assets. Such patience is not possible for Houston because it has a small window to compete for a championship, with Durant turning 37 in less than a week.