Van Vleet is seriously injured, Rockets are hit by the championship: variables increase sharply in the new season

On September 23, a bad news came to the Houston Rockets. According to famous reporter Shams, team defender Van Vleet suffered a torn ACL injury in the right knee, and the Houston Chronicle source confirmed that the injury is expected to leave the Rockets captain absent from the entire 2025-26 season.

Rockets reporter Iko revealed that Van Vleet suffered a right knee injury during an unofficial team mini training camp in the Bahamas. The player, who was selected as an All-Star and won the team in 2019, will undergo surgery this week. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Rockets and VanVleet himself. VanVleet has just signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Rockets this summer, with an annual salary of $25 million for the next two seasons, and the contract also includes player options for the 2026-27 seasons. Given the serious injury, the possibility of him executing the option has increased significantly, and medical expert Jeffries expects his return to take 9-12 months and will definitely miss all games next season.

31-year-old VanVleet is a core contributor to the Rockets' recovery. Before he joined as a free agent in 2023, the Rockets had a poor record for three consecutive seasons, 17-55, 20-62 and 22-60 respectively. After he served as starting point guard, the Rockets' record increased to 41 wins and 41 losses in 2023-24, and last season he even scored 52 wins and 30 losses. Although he slid several stats last season, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 60 regular season games and shooting 34.5% from three-pointers, the Rockets performed far better than the end of the game, with plus-negative values ​​of +6.2 and +2.9 respectively.

VanVleet was in a strong state in the first round of the playoffs last season. Although the team lost, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, with a 43.5% three-point shooting percentage. In the 280 minutes he was on the playoffs, the Rockets had a net efficiency of +3.9, and in the 56 minutes he missed to -17.1.

Salary expert Marks pointed out that the Rockets are likely to apply for "injury special case" for VanVleet's injury. However, the Rockets' total salary has reached the "first rich line", which is only below the threshold of $1.25 million. Even if the application is approved, it is currently impossible to use this exception to sign the 15th standard contract player. If you consider signing veteran defenders such as Simmons or Westbrook, you need to make a trade first.

VanVleet is not only a key player on the court, but also a team leader. He can calm the tension and encourage his teammates when necessary, and make an indelible contribution in reshaping the Rockets' culture. He is the "extension" of Uduka on the court, the voice actor trusted by the coach off the court. The Rockets' rise in recent years is inseparable from him. Uduka once said: "From the first day, Van Vleet has been crucial in the point guard position. He led the team in many aspects, allowing teammates to grow simultaneously, and clarifying the team's situation and contract significance is an indispensable part of the team's growth."

Van Vleet's injury casts a shadow on the Rockets' highlight offseason. The Rockets won Durant through a heavy trade this summer and signed many powerful veterans. This is full of expectations for the new season. Now, who will take over VanVleet's role in the 2025-26 season has become a key question. If the potential is tapped internally, the Rockets' point guard position is expected to start the "Youth Storm". Rising star Amen Thompson, who has entered his third season, and Shepard, who is about to start his second season, are expected to get more opportunities for possession. Next week, the Rockets will hold media day and start training camps, and Durant will make his first public debut with the Rockets. But his partner Van Vleet, who should have fought together, was absent due to injury. Durant will make his first public remarks after joining without Van Vleet. In the new season, how the Rockets who lack VanVleet will move forward under Durant's leadership is full of variables. Whether young players take the lead and continue the upward momentum, or whether the performance declines due to this impact, everything will be announced.