Latest Rumors on Fred VanVleet's Timeline to Return to Rockets After Knee Injury

There was concern that Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet would be lost for the season when he suffered a knee injury this offseason, but that reportedly might not be the case.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that Houston isn't "completely ruling" a return out at this point. 

"Word is VanVleet is working as hard as possible in his rehab from the injury to at least put a late-season return on the table," Stein wrote.

That would be a massive development for a Rockets team in win-now mode with a 21-11 record and fourth-place spot in the current Western Conference standings. VanVleet was expected to be one of the primary playmakers in the offense, but the team has instead had to rely on a combination of players to handle the ball.

Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Aaron Holiday and even Kevin Durant have been facilitators and ball-handlers at times, but VanVleet would be a veteran presence who could either score himself or set up his teammates for ideal looks.

The 2021-22 NBA All-Star also has plenty of postseason experience with 59 playoff games on his resume, so a late-season return would give a team with a relatively young core around Durant another veteran leader.

A possible return could also impact Houston's strategy at the trade deadline, as it would logically be a candidate for a point guard if he wasn't going to come back this season.

However, even the possibility could cause the front office to reassess any decisions to trade draft picks or other assets for point guard depth. VanVleet would be a critical late addition and wouldn't cost anything in return like a trade would for the Rockets.

It is far from a sure thing, but it remains a possibility as the season continues.