The Houston Rockets will be playing the 2025-26 campaign down a key piece as they look to contend after an active off-season.
Veteran Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has reportedly suffered a torn ACL and will potentially miss the 2025-26 season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
It's unclear how or when VanVleet suffered the injury.
VanVleet, 31, signed a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the Rockets this past off-season. The deal includes a player option for the 2026-27 season.
In 2024-25, the six-foot guard averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals over 60 games while shooting 37.8 per cent from the floor and 34.5 per cent from three. The Rockets finished second in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record before losing out in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
VanVleet stepped up when the lights were bright, averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 43.0 per cent from the field and 43.5 per cent from deep. He also led the team in minutes, averaging 40.0 a night.
The former Toronto Raptor was set to join a core that added superstar Kevin Durant to the mix this off-season. They traded away guard Jalen Green, wing Dillon Brooks, along with a 2025 first-rounder and five second-round picks to land the future Hall of Famer.
The 2025-26 season will mark the 10th of VanVleet's career. The undrafted free agent spent seven years in Toronto, emerging as a reliable defensive force and trusted floor general.
For his career, VanVleet is averaging 14.9 points and 5.7 assists over 550 games played.
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