Houston Rockets star level guard Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL and will probably miss the complete 2025-26 NBA season, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.
Rockets’ Fred VanVleet To Bear Surgical procedure On Proper Knee
Per Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports activities, VanVleet suffered the appropriate knee damage at an unofficial group minicamp within the Bahamas. The one-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion will endure surgical procedure this week, Iko provides.
VanVleet, 31, joined the Rockets in the course of the 2023 offseason on a three-year, $150 million contract. The undrafted guard helped Houston enhance from 22 wins to 41 in his first 12 months.
The Rockets then gained 52 video games final season to seize the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention, ending a four-year postseason drought. Houston, nonetheless, was eradicated by the Golden State Warriors in Recreation 7 of their first-round playoff sequence.
Simply in: Houston Rockets’ Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, sources inform ESPN. A devastating, probably season-ending loss for the Rockets with their start line guard and chief. pic.twitter.com/Qhf0V58DwR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2025
In 60 video games (all begins) with the Rockets final season, VanVleet averaged 14.1 factors, 3.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 35.2 minutes per contest whereas taking pictures 37.8% from the sphere and 34.5% from 3-point territory.
His level common in 2024-25 was his lowest in a season since 2018-19, however he did log 18.7 factors per recreation within the playoffs on 43% taking pictures from the ground and 43.5% from deep.
Houston additionally declined VanVleet’s $44.9 million group possibility for subsequent season again in June. The Wichita State product then inked a two-year, $50 million extension, with the deal together with a participant possibility in 2026-27.
With this newest information, Aaron Vacation might see extra enjoying time within the backcourt rotation.
VanVleet Would Have Performed With Kevin Durant
If not for the damage, VanVleet would have performed alongside future Corridor of Famer Kevin Durant this season. Houston acquired the two-time Finals MVP from the Phoenix Suns as a part of a historic seven-team commerce on July 6.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported in August that Durant and the Rockets have had conversations a few new contract extension this summer time, however the two sides have but to achieve an settlement.
“The Rockets and Durant have had discussions a few new contract and there may be perception they may come to phrases, sources stated, however they’ve but to come back to an settlement,” Windhorst wrote.
“Durant, like [LeBron] James, is now not seen as a centerpiece, as Houston builds round a younger core of gamers it acquired by the draft.”
Durant, who turns 37 on Sept. 29, is about to earn $54.7 million within the upcoming 2025-26 marketing campaign, the ultimate season of a four-year deal price $194.21 million that he signed as a member of the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported final month that if Houston does resolve to increase Durant this offseason, it probably gained’t be a two-year, $122 million most contract extension.
