Van Jordan suffers a severe injury, Rockets hit hard before even launching

Rockets fans woke up to a disaster; according to Shams, VanVleet has torn his ACL and may miss the entire season. Although the report uses the word "may," ACL recovery typically takes at least nine months, sometimes up to a year, making it highly likely Van Jordan will be out next season.

Truly unfortunate, as if cursed, Van Jordan got injured during a mini training camp in the Bahamas. He was there to prepare better for the upcoming season by combining travel with training, but ended up suffering such a serious injury.

After losing Jalen Green, the Rockets now only have three legitimate guards: Van Jordan, Shepard, and Aaron Holiday. The guard position was already the Rockets’ weakest spot, and with Van Jordan’s severe injury, the backcourt is nearly depleted.

Currently, the Rockets possess arguably the league’s worst guard lineup but one of the most impressive wings and a developing center in Sengun. On the surface, Van Jordan’s absence might not seem to impact the Rockets’ strength much, but fans who followed last season know how vital he was to this team.

Van Jordan is the most reliable ball-handler on this Rockets squad. Sengun can handle some playmaking, but ball control still falls to Van Jordan—something even Jalen Green can’t manage. Although Van Jordan’s shooting can be cold at times, he still positively contributes through defense, playmaking, and directing the team, which is why Udoka trusts him.

During last season’s regular games, Van Jordan averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 37.9%. The shooting percentage was low, and many games showed poor accuracy. However, his assists, steals, and three-point makes ranked among the top three on the team.

In the playoffs, Van Jordan’s breakout performance earned him widespread respect. In games 4, 5, and 6 against the Warriors, he averaged 26.7 points and shot an impressive 18 of 27 from three-point range, perfectly showcasing the value of a veteran championship guard in the postseason.

These three dominant playoff games became leverage for Van Jordan’s contract renewal during the offseason. Ultimately, he chose to re-sign with the Rockets at a reduced salary, signing a two-year, $50 million deal with a player option for the 26-27 season and a $25 million annual salary, clearly a concession on his part.

Unfortunately, fate is unpredictable. After signing this contract, Van Jordan hasn’t played a single game, and he may miss the entire next season. His absence is not just about losing a $25 million talent; his role within the team far exceeds his salary value.

What makes things worse is the Rockets have already triggered the first luxury tax threshold, meaning the team’s total salary cannot exceed that limit. The Rockets have only $1.25 million left under this threshold and cannot even use veteran minimum contracts to sign players. Many fans jokingly say Westbrook could return to the Rockets, but that’s completely impossible.

To use minimum contracts, the Rockets must first clear salary space. Currently, only six players on the roster are tradeable: Durant, Sengun, Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Shepard, and Eason. Therefore, trades are unlikely at this point.

The Rockets could theoretically apply for a large trade exception, but due to the first luxury tax threshold, this exception cannot be used.

If the Rockets want to strengthen the team through trades, they must wait until December, when newly signed players become trade-eligible. Additionally, trading Van Jordan requires his consent because his contract includes a no-trade clause.

Thus, Van Jordan’s unexpected injury has accelerated two developments: first, Amen must take on a greater role at the point guard position. Amen played as a point guard last season; it’s possible but will require significant time and trial games to adjust.

Second, Shepard’s development must be fast-tracked. After an offseason of training, has Shepard improved enough to replace Van Jordan as the Rockets’ starting point guard? Next season’s starting backcourt could very well be Shepard and Amen— is Shepard ready for that challenge?

Of course, if Shepard can’t even outperform Holiday, there’s little to say. The Rockets are aiming for a championship, and Shepard must keep up with the team’s intensity; the team won’t accommodate him. Van Jordan’s injury is both a challenge and an opportunity for Shepard. If he rises to the occasion, all is well; if not, this third overall pick might be done.

When the butterfly begins to flap its wings, no one can predict where this story will ultimately lead.