​As the NBA’s 2026-27 season kicks off in October, all signs point to Fred VanVleet reclaiming his place as the Houston Rockets’ starting point guard from the outset, provided there are no medical setbacks. With the Rockets’ medical staff expected to grant clearance for his usual workload, VanVleet appears poised to resume his role without interruption. Houston Chronicle beat writer Varun Shankar captured the prevailing sentiment in a Wednesday story, noting that “signs point to VanVleet being ready to start for Houston from the jump.” He added that the veteran guard will be about a year removed from his torn ACL and meniscus when training camp opens, positioning him for a seamless return to action.
neither VanVleet nor the Rockets have definitively ruled out a return in the 2025-26 season; however, such a comeback would have required an unusually swift ACL recovery window of seven months or less. Given typical NBA recovery timelines, which generally run nine to 12 months, the start of the 2026-27 training camp falls after the upper end of that average window, making a 2025-26 return unlikely. VanVleet, now 32, posted averages of 15.9 points on 36.9 percent shooting from three, 6.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game across his two most recent campaigns with the Rockets (2023-24 and 2024-25). He also minimized turnovers at a solid 1.6 per game in 36.1 minutes on the floor, and his leadership and defensive capabilities remain highly regarded around the league.
Assuming medical clearance is granted, Houston’s projected starting five for the 2026-27 season would likely be VanVleet, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün. Among notable reserves who are expected to play significant roles in head coach Ime Udoka’s rotations are Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Steven Adams, and newly signed guard Marcus Smart. The Rockets will be entering the 2026-27 campaign looking to build on consecutive 52-30 regular-season records from the previous two years, though those seasons ended with playoff disappointments in the Western Conference first round. Internally, the organization hopes that pairing Durant with a proven floor general like VanVleet will help address last year’s turnover issues and late-game execution lapses.
Additional context from the ongoing roster moves includes the signing of veteran guard Marcus Smart to a two-year, $13 million deal, a move aimed at strengthening guard depth and defensive tenacity. This combination of VanVleet’s ball-handling experience and Smart’s versatility could give Houston a more reliable late-game option and contribute to improved decision-making in tight moments.
In sum, barring an unforeseen medical setback, the prevailing outlook is that Fred VanVleet will be Houston’s starting point guard from the beginning of the 2026-27 season. If cleared, he will lead a roster that features Durant, Thompson, Smith Jr., and Şengün, with a supporting cast that includes Shepherd, Eason, Adams, and Smart ready to contribute off the bench. The Rockets’ front office and coaching staff are hopeful that this alignment will translate into better execution, reduced turnovers, and more consistent close-game performances as they pursue another strong regular season and a deeper playoff push.