Following their activities in the offseason, the Houston Rockets were poised to be a title contender. Unfortunately, a recent setback to their roster could impact their aspirations.
With Fred VanVleet suffering an ACL injury, Houston is likely to see its starting point guard sidelined for the majority of the season, if not for the entirety of it.
This puts the franchise in a dire situation. While they can still offload playmaking duties to their rising star, Alperen Sengun, the Rockets will need to make up for VanVleet’s lost offensive production.
To do so, there have already been several free agents who have emerged as potential replacements for the Rockets’ star. But considering the team’s current situation, they aren’t eligible to sign any new players until Dec. 15th. Thus, they would be forced to trigger a trade to acquire a replacement instead.
While some names come to mind when considering the specific role VanVleet played, the Rockets could turn their attention East, specifically to acquire Chicago Bulls guard Coby White. Here is the proposed trade package:
Proposed Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: Coby White
Chicago Bulls Receive: Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, 2029 second-round pick (SAC)
Given the player assets included in this trade, along with a valuable second-round draft pick, it is evident that both parties stand to gain something from this deal.
The Bulls Add New Pieces To Their Core
In this deal, the Chicago Bulls acquire Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, and a future second-round pick. Given their approach towards rebuilding, these pieces could prove to be immensely valuable in aiding the process.
Chicago has seemingly invested in developing its young core, primarily with Matas Buzelis at the center of it all as the future franchise cornerstone. By re-signing Josh Giddey this summer, the Bulls only cemented their intentions of building around their new core.
While Coby White remains a vital member of this unit, by trading him to the Rockets, the Bulls acquire two more valuable developmental pieces. Sheppard, in particular, could be viewed favorably.
The former lottery pick from last season has shown tremendous potential as an offensive threat, specifically as a perimeter shooter. His capability with shooting in a variety of situations has been deemed impressive, especially after a 25-point performance during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in March this year.
Unfortunately, the 21-year-old received very little playing time in the Rockets’ rotation, primarily due to their pre-existing depth in the shooting guard position. This led to limited output, as he averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 35.1% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range.
Chicago’s current rotation would present enough opportunity for Sheppard to receive more playing time. Paired with a capable playmaker like Josh Giddey, the young guard could be poised for significant improvement in his sophomore season.
Along with Sheppard, the Bulls would also make a solid addition to their frontcourt with the acquisition of Eason. The 24-year-old forward boasts tremendous athleticism and defensive upside.Â
Although Chicago has a solid power forward in Patrick Williams in the starting rotation, his recent struggles could create an opening for Eason to replace him. When considering factors such as output, impact, and consistency, Eason may be the better choice at the moment.
Last season, the former first-round pick showed a lot of growth potential, as he carved out a bigger role for himself on the team. While he primarily came off the bench, Eason was impactful, averaging 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. He also displayed efficiency, shooting 48.7% from the field and 34.2% from three-point range.
In this scenario, the Bulls would be acquiring two young players who match the timeline for their new core’s development. With Sheppard and Eason effectively filling out the starting lineup and showcasing the potential to make an immediate impact, Chicago could benefit greatly from doing this deal.
The Rockets Land Their VanVleet Replacement
Acquiring Coby White could be considered a solid move for the Rockets. Given VanVleet’s role as a scorer and a facilitator, Houston may not find a better alternative at the current juncture.
White has positioned himself as a solid combo guard over the past few seasons. After securing a more significant role with the Chicago Bulls, the 25-year-old has grown in stature, showcasing layers to his game and improving upon his overall productivity on the floor.
Last season, White was one of Chicago’s most significant contributors. After taking up a more significant offensive role, he averaged 20.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 45.3% shooting from the field and 37.0% shooting from three-point range.
The guard has proven himself as a scoring threat. While he has been successful in catch-and-shoot situations, he has been equally capable while creating scoring opportunities for himself, owed to his quick first step and his willingness to embrace contact while driving towards the basket.
Such traits could be quite useful for the Rockets. White’s unselfishness with the ball could be viewed positively, especially in a rotation featuring many potent scoring options. While it is unlikely for White to be a primary option on the scoring front, it is evident that having him in the rotation would only serve to bring stability in VanVleet’s absence.
White is also on an expiring contract. With the money coming off the books next summer, the Rockets would be treating White’s addition as a rental for this season.
Overall, acquiring White proves to be a solid decision from the perspective of keeping Houston’s title dream alive. While his inexperience in playoff situations could be a drawback, the overall depth of the squad could be enough to help him acclimate to the conditions.
Can The Rockets Win Without VanVleet?
Losing Fred VanVleet will prove to be a setback for the Rockets. When considering his scoring prowess and championship experience, Houston could have benefited from having him in the rotation.
But does this negate their chances of winning the title? Not necessarily.
Apart from VanVleet, the Rockets still feature several talented players in their rotation. From established stars and rising star prospects to capable veterans and role players, Houston boasts tremendous depth.
It has become clear that roster depth is a crucial factor in securing title success in the modern NBA. With reliable players in every position, the Rockets will remain title contenders even without VanVleet.
