Jason Burgos
To Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, there was a specific thing that they missed this season and led to their disappointing results: Fred VanVleet.
After trading for Kevin Durant in the summer, the Rockets were seen as a serious threat to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. And why not? They were a young, talented, defensive-driven team that added the go-to, late-game finisher they lacked in 2024-25.
But right before the season started, nine-year veteran VanVleet suffered an ACL tear during a September practice. While it was a notable loss, most NBA experts felt the Rockets had more than enough talent to still be a force in the West under head coach Ime Udoka. However, while looking strong early, they regressed as the season went along.
They ended the campaign as the fifth seed in the West, and were shockingly ousted in the opening round of the playoffs by a Los Angeles Lakers team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for much of the series.
Fred VanVleet says Rockets biggest problem in 2025-26 was not having Fred VanVleet
In the wake of their upset playoff defeat, there has been a lot of speculation about what went wrong. However, it seems VanVleet believes his absence was the biggest reason they disappointed in 2025-26 and will be far better next season.
“I know what I bring to the table, and I know that we will be a better team with me on the team,” he said in a new video on his YouTube page. “That has been the case for me on every team I’ve ever been on. I’m going to make the team better just by virtue of my being available, being around, and bringing my energy, before you even get to the game.
“My leadership and competitiveness, that’s what I do. I try to make everything I touch better,” he added. “That’s my mindset. Not saying I do, or I don’t, but that’s how I view it when I go in.”
The one-time All-Star has a $25.5 million player option for next season. His comments make it seem like he is likely to exercise it or fully expects to sign a new long-term deal for less money annually.
