Houston’s title bid encounters a major obstacle as Fred VanVleet’s season-ending ACL tear shifts the offense into a by-committee rhythm led by Kevin Durant. Durant remain a focal point, but the Rockets must lean on Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun to initiate and organize play. Depth behind the star trio is tested, with defensive versatility and ball-handling risk as the team recalibrates around Durant’s gravity.

Houston eyes internal development and midseason shuffles rather than quick fixes, hoping Durant’s scoring while others grow into initiators can sustain a competitive West run. The organization could pursue a disabled-player exception, but cap constraints and trade-fuelled openings are tight. Fantasy angles now hinge on how quickly Thompson, Sheppard and Sengun lock in roles and how the defense absorbs VanVleet’s absence.