The Best Realistic Trade to Save Houston Rockets' Season After Major Injury
The Houston Rockets suffered a devastating blow Monday, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting that veteran point guard Fred VanVleet suffered an offseason knee injury that may sideline him for all of 2025-26.
After acquiring Kevin Durant via trade from the Phoenix Suns, the Rockets appeared to be one of the top contenders in the Western Conference. While losing VanVleet won't completely derail the season, the vital leader's absence stings—both in the locker room and on the floor.
Replacing him will be difficult, since the franchise has almost no financial flexibility. The answer could be asking second-year guard Reed Sheppard to step into a significantly larger role or trading for another guard who can fit the team's defensive-minded style (ideally with a steady outside shooting touch).
The following is a trade idea before the start of the season with Houston acquiring just that—Keon Ellis, a noted defender and 43.3 percent three-point shooter last year for the Sacramento Kings.
Full Trade Scenario
1 of 3
The Houston Rockets receive: Keon Ellis, 2026 Charlotte Hornets second-rounder, $5.7 million trade exception (Tari Eason)
The Sacramento Kings receive: Tari Eason, $2.3 million trade exception (Keon Ellis)
The Rockets use the Cam Whitmore trade exception to acquire Ellis. The Kings use part of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception on Eason. After the deal, Houston stands $4.6 million below its $195.9 million first-apron hard cap, with an open roster spot for another veteran (or possibly for camp invite Cam Matthews). Sacramento remains under the $187.9 million luxury tax threshold by roughly $2.25 million with 14 players. The second from the Hornets will convey in the 31-55 range, but Charlotte doesn't project to be a top-5 team this coming season.
Why the Houston Rockets Do It
2 of 3
The Rockets are high on Eason. He's a tough-minded, physical player who also has offensive skills. He's not a great outside shooter, but he finished last year with career highs of 12 points and 1.7 steals per game. He's a legit 6'8", mobile enough to guard multiple positions. He's a difficult player for Houston to part with for Ellis, but Eason has become more of a luxury than a necessity.
The additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Durant, along with the recent Jabari Smith Jr. extension, have crowded the Rockets' frontcourt. The team also found lineups that worked with Alperen Şengün at the four alongside center Steven Adams. Bringing back Clint Capela may give Şengün more time at forward, if matchups are favorable.
Additionally, Eason is due a rookie-scale extension before the start of the regular season lest he become a restricted free agent next July. The heart of the issue, assuming Durant extends with the team in the $50-58 million range, is that the Rockets cannot afford to keep Eason on the kind of contract he's seeking.
At worst, he's likely to want PJ Washington money (Dallas Mavericks), which starts next year just under $20 million, increasing to nearly $25 million in 2029-30. Eason may want even higher, but with Durant, VanVleet (assuming he opts in at $25 million next season after the injury), Smith ($23.6 million), and others like Amen Thompson, Sheppard, Finney-Smith, Capela, etc., Houston's salary would quickly exceed the second apron.
Does that make sense for a reserve, playing behind Durant, Şengün, and Smith? Does it work when the team may need to turn to Aaron Holiday, Thompson and Sheppard at the point? It could work, but Ellis provides another lanky guard, eager to defend the opposing point of attack.
While he's not a true point guard with a high assist rate, this Rockets squad has playmaking with Durant, Şengün, and Thompson. Ellis can space the floor, stop the ball on defense, and isn't in the same salary tier as Eason.
Ellis will be extension-eligible in February. His price range, should he excel in Houston, should be no higher than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception range (projected to be $15.1 million next year). He'll be unrestricted in July, but may not turn down a reasonable offer—one Houston would try to negotiate in the range, keeping the squad under the 2026-27 second apron.
The second-round pick, projected to be in the 30s by Charlotte, is intended to offset the fact that the Kings are acquiring a restricted player in Eason vs. Ellis in Houston, who can potentially become unrestricted (both can still extend, if traded).
For the Rockets, it's a question of need and financial fit. They like Eason, but may not be able to afford him, while needing some help at guard after losing VanVleet.
Why the Sacramento Kings Do It
3 of 3
Earlier in the offseason, Sacramento explored moving one of its guards (Devin Carter or Ellis), in part, because the Kings acquired Dennis Schröder (via sign-and-trade) from the Detroit Pistons. Schröder was tremendous for Germany, winning the EuroBasket MVP and championship.
Sacramento has a ton of guards:
- Zach LaVine
- DeMar DeRozan
- Malik Monk
- Nique Clifford (rookie)
- Carter
- Ellis
The team is imbalanced on defense, relying heavily on big wing Keegan Murray. It's why, in part, the Kings have pursued Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors.
Since Kuminga is an unrestricted free agent and Sacramento doesn't have the cap flexibility to issue an offer sheet, the franchise needs Golden State to send him via sign-and-trade. To date, that appears to be a dead end.
Eason may not be looking to score at as high a level as Kuminga may desire outside of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler's shadows, but Eason is a better defender. The pairing of Eason and Murray would give the Kings a dynamic, physical frontcourt.
Like the Rockets, it's less of a question of disliking the outgoing player. Eason is a situational upgrade for the Kings, much like Ellis is for Houston. And Sacramento may not be willing to pay Ellis, given the current list of guards.
Instead, the team can invest in the Murray/Eason pairing; or if a quick extension cannot be hammered out with Eason, the Kings retain his restricted free agent rights and have the leverage to work out a deal next summer.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.
