VanVleet ACL tear upends Houston’s rapid rebuild, leaving backcourt minutes to young guards as cap rules lock down external help. Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson are juiced for bigger roles, with Aaron Holiday backing them and Dorian Finney-Smith possibly sliding in to stabilize spacing. The Rockets face a tight first apron, so midseason moves hinge on the trade market and VanVleet’s recovery timeline.

Fantasy implications center on Sheppard’s minutes spike, Thompson’s two-way ceiling, and Finney-Smith’s shooting to offset lost 3-point production. With Durant as a potential trade asset, Houston may wait toward the deadline for a shakeup, making early-season performances crucial for value plays and rotations.