The main defender is seriously injured, the Rockets have three options to make up for, 9 players are not allowed to trade, Amen switches to No. 1 position

The Rockets are one of the most successful teams in the offseason. They traded Durant at a smaller price. Capela, Smith, Okogi and other players joined, a team of teams for championship competition has taken shape, and Durant and the Rockets' contract renewal negotiations are very smooth. But he died before he could succeed. Van Velvet, the main player of the Rockets, suffered a serious injury and was likely to be reimbursed for the season. This is undoubtedly a fatal blow to the Rockets, which is enough to withdraw the team from the championship. The offseason operation is in vain.

VanVleet is an indispensable player for the Rockets. As the only genuine point guard in the team, he has no replacement player for his control of luck and passing. He averaged 13+5 per game last season. During the offseason, he chose to renew his contract with a salary cut and completed the contract renewal of $50 million in two years. He and Durant are very good at both having three-pointers and the ability to handle the ball. During the absence of VanVleet last season, the Rockets struggled very hard and the offensive organization was in chaos.

The Rockets have three plans to make up for it. First, they look for point guards in the free market, but at this point, there will be no good players anymore. Westbrook is the largest free agent No. 1 position, but the relationship between him and Durant is very delicate. The Rockets are extremely unlikely to sign him, and in recent seasons, Westbrooks has declined seriously. The second option is to trade a point guard. The entire league knows that the Rockets lack guards and the asking price will not be very low, which is not a good choice for the Rockets. 9 players including Adams, Smith, Tate and Holiday Jr. cannot be traded before December 5. Ethan, Amen, Shin Kyung and others can trade, but the Rockets will no longer play the main lineup. The only player that is valuable to trade is Ethan, who has not yet renewed the contract. The third solution is to respond to changes in the same way and dig internally. Amen returned to the number one position and let Okoghi play the starting second position, but the problem that followed was that the three-pointers in the back line were too poor.

Shen Jing has improved again this offseason. If the No. 1 position is not strengthened, he needs to undertake more organizational offensive reuse. One VanVleet affects the entire team, and the tactical styles may have changed. Shepard ushered in another opportunity, which was a test for him. If he could take this opportunity to fight, it would be a blessing in disguise. The Rockets will take advantage of Durant's final peak period to compete for the championship and have a greater possibility of further trading and strengthening, otherwise Durant may not renew his contract. In the past two seasons, many players have suffered major injuries, including star players such as Tatum and Lillard. The Rockets have not escaped this level. In Uduka's tactical system, VanVleet is the core, 1 and 5 pick-and-roll are standard, Amen Thompson plays No. 1, and his defense is definitely full, but his shooting is unstable, and his passing is slightly inferior. Durant has to use it as a big core with the ball. Don't forget that Durant has also suffered serious injuries. If Stone sits on the side, the Rockets will not mention the championship in the new season.