HOUSTON -- There is an old saying: “Sometimes you don’t fully appreciate what you have until it’s gone.”
For Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet, that became clear during an injury ravaged 2025-26 season, which he missed because of the torn ACL and meniscus that he suffered before training camp began.
Gone was one of the most important things in his life, outside of his family.
Basketball had been VanVleet’s life since his adolescent years in Rockford, Illinois, and the undrafted point guard from Wichita State had never been away from the court for such a significant amount of time.
His “iron man” work ethic helped him thrive with the Toronto Raptors for seven seasons, and his floor leadership stood out in his first two seasons in Houston, where he helped return
some sense of normalcy and stability to a team that struggled with its identity after James Harden’s departure.
All VanVleet could do during the 2025-26 regular season and playoffs was serve as an extra assistant coach for Ime Udoka. Although he enjoyed the chance to advise his younger teammates, he could not shake the competitive passion he has for the game.
“Not being able to be out there with the guys, at least suffering with them — and just kind of sitting there watching as a spectator — was tough for me,” VanVleet said at the team’s media day press conference on Tuesday.
Consider that the Rockets also lost backup center Steven Adams to a season ending ankle injury in January and forward Kevin Durant during the first round of the playoffs.
You can see why VanVleet, 32, is so eager to get back on the court with his teammates and show what a healthy Rockets team can accomplish.
The “floor general,” as many of his teammates call him, believes in this version of the team heading into the 2026-27 regular season.
“The way to put yourself in championship contention is one step at a time,” said VanVleet, who was a full participant in Wednesday’s opening practice at training camp. “We have more than enough talent on this roster to compete for a championship, but that is a long way away.”
Now that he has been medically cleared for five-on-five action, VanVleet’s return means more to Houston than simply getting another player back in the lineup. In this case, the Rockets are getting back the voice, composure, and organization they desperately missed in his absence.
“VanVleet, if he’s healthy, completely fixes everything that’s wrong with this team.”
— Andrew Soukup (@asoukuptx) September 23, 2026
- Zach Lowe pic.twitter.com/oag1hHEtgQ
It also gives head coach Ime Udoka more stability in his rotations and relieves some ball-handling responsibilities from younger players, namely Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
Last season, in crucial late-game situations, Houston was inconsistent in its execution due in large part to an inability to protect the basketball. The Rockets finished among the NBA’s worst teams in turnover rate (15.7%, No. 27) last season, a significant decline from when VanVleet ran the offense a year earlier (14.0%, No. 11).
“At times last year, we were just trying to figure it out, and it didn’t always look the greatest,” said VanVleet, who expects to play when Houston opens its 2026-27 preseason slate on Friday, Oct. 9.
“So, I think this year you’ll see a little bit more concerted effort of just playing better ball, getting ourselves in the right spots and in the right positions, a little more organized. That is easier to do with guys that are intended to be on the court.”
Last season, what frustrated Udoka most was the Rockets’ inability to close out games in which they once held a significant lead.
Of their 30 losses, Houston held a double-digit lead in 18 of them. Having a natural point guard back on the floor should help improve that this season, as VanVleet understands pace, spacing, and the spots where his teammates are supposed to be on the court.
Ultimately, what the Rockets learned in 2025-26 is that talent alone isn’t enough. They needed someone who could bring all those pieces together.
A player who can settle the offense when things become chaotic while also helping to communicate and get stops on the defensive side of the court.
That might sound like a lot of pressure for one player coming off a serious knee injury. But for a once undrafted prospect who worked tirelessly to become an NBA champion and eventually a maximum-salaried player, pressure is a privilege.
“I like pressure, so I’m not running from that,” VanVleet said when asked about his return. “It’s not that simple, quite frankly, but I think we will look like a different group. My identity is not tied to the result, but I’m confident that it’ll look better. I’m confident we’ll have a more together approach, and it’ll look like a better product. I’m confident that I can bring that.”
Fred VanVleet says he plans to play for the Rockets during their preseason games in Macao on Oct. 9 and Oct. 11.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) September 23, 2026
Added he hopes Houston will scrap its no-back-to-back policy for him sooner than later this season. Same for a potential minutes restriction. pic.twitter.com/9BDTyGWI4h
Fred VanVleet wrapping up his first official practice back with the Rockets.
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) September 23, 2026
(Training camp opened today in Houston.) pic.twitter.com/boI8tzfHN7
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Confident’ Fred VanVleet makes healthy, on-court return in Houston
