The Houston Rockets enter the 2025-26 season with a major void to fill. Star player Fred VanVleet is injured with an ACL tear and is unlikely to play much, if at all, next year. Last season, the former Toronto Raptor averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 assists while serving as the Rockets’ floor general and stabilizer.
With internal options like Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard still unproven, the front office may need to shop for a veteran replacement. But who could it be? The Ringer‘s Bill Simmons seems to have the possible answers.
Bill Simmons Picks Five Fred VanVleet For the Houston Rockets
Bill Simmons recently named five trade targets he believes would make sense. Let’s break down each one and explore how viable they are.
1. Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls
Simmons’ first pick is Ayo Dosunmu, the versatile guard from Chicago. Dosunmu averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 2024–25 and shot 49.2% from the field.
He plays with toughness and can beat size mismatches, offering a two-way wing/guard combo the Rockets currently lack. He isn’t a traditional elite facilitator, but his playmaking is solid, and his size makes him harder to defend.
He could mesh well with Houston’s star-laden frontcourt. The possible downside is that Chicago might view him as core rotation talent and not be eager to trade him unless the offer is generous.
2. Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans
A defensive player with energy, last season, Alvarado averaged 10.3 points and 4.6 assists while peppering opponents with his intensity. He brings hustle and backcourt grind, exactly the kind of quality that helps stabilize a team when the stars are not having their best nights.
He’s not a volume shooter, and his efficiency is modest, but his energy fits what Houston could use. The question: Is he a long-term answer or just a stopgap?
3. T. J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
A seasoned floor general and floor-spacer, T.J. McConnell has been praised for his decision-making, craftiness, and veteran feel.
Bill Simmons names 5 players Houston should target to replace Fred VanVleet:
Ayo Dosunmu
Jose Alvarado
T. J. McConnell
Scotty Pippen Jr
Payton Pritchard
(🎥 @ringer )
pic.twitter.com/qaqwfdkjHi
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 24, 2025
While he might not be a high-usage scorer, his ability to run pick-and-rolls, defend, and minimize turnovers (a skill VanVleet also possessed) gives Houston a safer fallback.
His current contract and team ambitions might make him harder to trade, but he fits the mold of a “smart backup who can start.”
4. Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
A rising under-the-radar guard at a lower price point, Scotty Pippen Jr. averaged close to 9.9 points per game, shooting 48% from the field and 40% from three. He “woke up” in the playoffs and scored around 18 points per game in certain stretches.
His scoring upside and shot-making make him an intriguing high-upside flip piece. The risk is that he’s less proven in a full starting role and might not bring the same leadership or control VanVleet did.
5. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
The premium target for Houston, Payton Pritchard, is coming off a Sixth Man of the Year season and has championship experience. He’s proven as a high-level scorer, reliable shooter, and playoff-tested guard.
However, Boston might be reluctant to let him go. The cost of acquiring Pritchard would likely be steep, but the payoff could be huge: a starting-ready guard who can carry offense, play under control, and coexist with Kevin Durant and others.
Why Will The Rockets Need Help From Outside?
Losing VanVleet removes Houston’s only proven floor general. Kevin Durant and Alperen Åžengün can both act as secondary playmakers, but neither is suited to run the offense for 82 games.
Thompson and Sheppard bring upside, yet thrusting them into starting duties could derail a team with championship aspirations. That’s why Simmons’ list is so relevant. All five guards bring either veteran steadiness, defensive grit, or untapped upside that could stabilize Houston’s backcourt while keeping the window open.
RELATED: Rockets Get Devastating Fred VanVleet News That Hurts NBA Finals Hopes
Of course, none of them are perfect VanVleet cones, but they bring a mix of strengths that the Rockets could exploit.
Dosunmu offers size and versatility. Alvarado brings motor and defensive spark, while McConnell gives poise and control. Pippen Jr. represents upside and shooting, and Pritchard offers proven production and value. But this is only possible to gain if Houston can land one of them.
Given Houston’s financial constraints — they’re near the apron — and trade restrictions on recent acquisitions, they may have to wait until December or package non-core pieces. But targeting one of these guards sends a message: Houston is still serious, and they won’t roll into a title run without a solid point guard to match their stars.
