Just weeks before the start of the 2025-26 season, the Houston Rockets were dealt a huge blow. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet will now miss all of next season after suffering an offseason ACL tear.
That couldn't have come at a worse possible time for the Rockets, who are both hard-capped and unable to sign a replacement. While they do have some internal options, they may still need to add a proven point guard.
They need a proven point guard to strengthen what is clearly their weakest position. Of course, after signing several players to new deals, they can't trade nearly a third of the roster until December 15th.
That means that they will have to weather the first two months of the season before being able to acquire a starting-caliber point guard. However, once December 15th rolls around, a big trade with the Chicago Bulls could be in the cards.
The Houston Rockets' perfect point guard is on the Chicago Bulls
The potential trade would see the Rockets ship Reed Sheppard, Josh Okogie, and a 2029 pick swap with the Phoenix Suns to the Bulls for Colby White. White is on a team-friendly contract but will get expensive after next season.
Selling high on him by getting the former third overall selection, and a pick swap with a potential lottery team might make sense if the Bulls don't believe him to be a part of their long-term plans.
This is especially true if he is expecting a huge payday. On one hand, he is a talented offensive guard, averaging 20.4 points and shooting 37% on 7.9 threes per game last season.
On the other hand, we just saw Cam Thomas be forced to take a one-year qualifying offer after teams declined to pay him.
Colby White could be the perfect trade target for the Bulls
White could find a similarly frosty market if he's expecting a giant payday. Nevertheless, he'd be perfect for the Rockets in the short term.
White being a high-volume 3-point shooter could help a spacing-starved Rockets team. They ranked just 21st in 3-point percentage last season, but if they were to add White to the recently acquired Kevin Durant, then that would dramatically improve their overall offensive efficiency.
All told, the Rockets could use internal options such as Thompson and Sheppard to fill in at point guard to see if either thrives at that position. If neither does, then the Rockets may be forced to make a trade, and White from the Bulls could be the perfect option.