The Houston Rockets have had an incredible 2025 offseason that has obviously been headlined by the addition of Kevin Durant. Unfortunately, not everything is coming up in Houston, with starting point guard Fred VanVleet having suffered a season-ending ACL tear earlier this month. It is a brutal blow to an emotional leader for a young Rockets team, and losing VanVleet greatly damages the Rockets' backcourt depth.
As great as the Rockets will be with Durant, VanVleet's injury demands a move in response. Houston's cap situation isn't ideal, though, leaving general manager Rafael Stone to sign veterans to minimum contracts. Having said that, a familiar face might be willing to answer Stone's call.
Rockets Must Sign Russell Westbrook After Fred VanVleet's ACL Tear
Former Rockets guard Russell Westbrook is one of the top available free agents right now. The ex-NBA MVP is used to earning some of the league's biggest paychecks; however, his being unsigned at the end of September could leave him willing to take on a cheap contract, especially if it means being reunited with an old Oklahoma City Thunder teammate.
Joining the Rockets would give Westbrook a chance to write a different ending with Durant. The duo caused some damage during their time with the Thunder, but they failed to win a title together during that stint. Now, they can achieve that goal as more mature versions of themselves alongside Houston's budding roster.
VanVleet is an important tone-setter for the lineup, and if the Rockets sign Westbrook, they're hoping you can get the best version of the point guard and get some type of consistent production. He most recently played 75 games with the Denver Nuggets last season, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds with a 44.9% field-goal percentage.
Westbrook is also more than familiar with Houston, having played 57 games with the Rockets in 2019-20, culminating in All-Star and All-NBA third-team nods.
A Westbrook reunion might not excite every Rockets fan, but it is the right decision based on the limited options left on the market. Still, it would give the Rockets even more hype heading into the season based on the story of two of the league's most talented stars of the last decade joining forces in the twilight of their respective careers.
Westbrook needing to join Durant once again to get an elusive first ring and Durant winning his third alongside his former Thunder teammate simply feels right. More importantly, it fits within Houston's budget and is one of the few moves the franchise can afford to make in the final weeks of camp and preseason.
No question, losing VanVleet is a blow, but there's nothing that can be done to change that. If signing Westbrook is the Rockets' best path to surviving their No. 1 PG's absence, GM Stone knows what he has to do.