Simply weeks earlier than the beginning of the 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets had been dealt an enormous blow. Place to begin guard Fred VanVleet will now miss all of subsequent season after struggling an offseason ACL tear.
That could not have come at a worse attainable time for the Rockets, who’re each hard-capped and unable to signal a alternative. Whereas they do have some inside choices, they could nonetheless want so as to add a confirmed level guard.
They want a confirmed level guard to strengthen what’s clearly their weakest place. After all, after signing a number of gamers to new offers, they cannot commerce almost a 3rd of the roster till December fifteenth.
That implies that they must climate the primary two months of the season earlier than having the ability to purchase a starting-caliber level guard. Nevertheless, as soon as December fifteenth rolls round, an enormous commerce with the Chicago Bulls may very well be within the playing cards.
The Houston Rockets’ excellent level guard is on the Chicago Bulls
The potential commerce would see the Rockets ship Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, and a 2029 decide swap with the Phoenix Suns to the Bulls for Colby White. White is on a team-friendly contract however will get costly after subsequent season.
Promoting excessive on him by getting the previous third general choice, and a decide swap with a possible lottery group may make sense if the Bulls do not consider him to be part of their long-term plans.
That is very true if he’s anticipating an enormous payday. On one hand, he’s a proficient offensive guard, averaging 20.4 factors and capturing 37% on 7.9 threes per recreation final season.
However, we simply noticed Cam Thomas be pressured to take a one-year qualifying provide after groups declined to pay him.
Colby White may very well be the right commerce goal for the Bulls
White might discover a equally frosty market if he is anticipating a large payday. Nonetheless, he’d be excellent for the Rockets within the quick time period.
White being a high-volume 3-point shooter might assist a spacing-starved Rockets group. They ranked simply twenty first in 3-point proportion final season, but when they had been so as to add White to the lately acquired Kevin Durant, then that may dramatically enhance their general offensive effectivity.
All informed, the Rockets might use inside choices akin to Thompson and Sheppard to fill in at level guard to see if both thrives at that place. If neither does, then the Rockets could also be pressured to make a commerce, and White from the Bulls may very well be the right possibility.
