NBA analyst explains why the Rockets don t need to introduce Van Jordan s replacement

According to U.S. sports media F/W contributor Gautam Varill, the Houston Rockets look to be out of Van Jordan throughout the 2025-26 NBA season because he tore the ACL in mini camp. There is a lot of discussion about how the Rockets should replace VanVleet, but NBA analyst Tim Legler explained on the All NBA podcast why they don’t need to bring in anyone.

"Do you really need a typical team leader guard like someone like VanVleet?" Legler asked. "Look, remember he played in Toronto with Lowry, so they kind of shared, right? It's kind of like two smaller escorts. They played one game, there were two games. They found it and shot it. They both defended. But it was almost like, six out of one, six in the other," Legler said. "For example, who is your point guard? I look at a team like Boston. Neither of these are really traditional main guards in Ju Holiday and Derek White. They are just good players. Most of their offenses start from Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum. They are forwards."

"Then two defenders can get the ball in hand," Legler said. "Two great defenders, which makes them more valuable to them...Ju is more like a weak side cut type low post guard, and Derek White does become a great set-point shooter or shooter for a three-point cover. But the offense is done through two other guys, Tatum and Brown," Legler continued. "So maybe Houston has Shinkin's ability to start, and Kevin Durant's ability to start. We talked about Amen Thompson and his ability to start in a different way than these guys. Maybe that's enough."

"You are more dependent on this guard position now as someone who can find out, pull up space and knock down shots at high rates," Legler added. "In this case, Reed Shepard and Holiday may both solve this problem. You're offensively different than someone like VanVleet, who often has the ball."

The Boston Celtics successfully won the 2024 championship with Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown's offense, and Legler believes something similar happens to the Rockets. He thinks Kevin Durant, Shinkyung and Amen Thompson can take turns to attack. The Rockets can certainly try it out at the start of the 2025-26 season. As it stands, they can’t sign VanVleet’s replacement, as they are worth only $1.25 million less than the first luxury tax line. Because of this, they are also unable to apply for the exception of players with disabilities.

If the Rockets were to fill their roster positions with free agents, they had to trade. They can get some good alternatives from the market, but it's better to see how the current iteration performs on the court first. If Legler’s idea doesn’t work, they can consider signing a defender or trading a defender. What do you think?