Bill Simmons Reveals Surprising Top 5 Point Guards Rockets Must Pursue Now

So, here we are—Houston Rockets facing what might be the ultimate game-changer: Fred VanVleet sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season. Yikes, right? Losing a key point guard like VanVleet isn’t just a bump; it’s more like a full-on crater in their lineup. Now, the big question kicking around in my mind is—how on earth do they fill that void? Bill Simmons threw out a list of five potential PG targets, but let’s be real: none of these guys come with a “just sign here” ease. From Ayo Dosunmu to Payton Pritchard, each option requires Houston to juggle salaries and sacrifice some of that roster chemistry they’ve so painstakingly brewed. Honestly, it feels like trying to patch a leaky boat right before a storm hits. Will the Rockets scramble for a trade, or trust their current squad to rise up? Either way, this season’s shaping up to be one heck of a rollercoaster—and I’m all eyes and ears.

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets - Game Five — (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets will likely be without Fred VanVleet for the entire 2025-26 season, which could completely derail their plans.

If they want to find a player to replace VanVleet, their options are limited, but they do have choices.

Bill Simmons listed five potential stars who could be acquired by the Rockets, but none of them would come to the team easily.

“I have five names. Number one, Ayo Dosunmu. They could probably patch some stuff together, maybe even throw some of their lesser picks and just grab him. Jose Alvarado. I don’t think that swings an OKC series, but I think that would help them. Scottie Pippen Jr. Could get him easily. Payton Pritchard, I think that’s the first one out of the names where you go, ‘That’s a guy that could actually play in a series against OKC and Minnesota,’” Simmons said.

Bill Simmons names 5 players Houston should target to replace Fred VanVleet:

Ayo Dosunmu
Jose Alvarado
T. J. McConnell
Scotty Pippen Jr
Payton Pritchard

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Ayo Dosunma, Jose Alvardao, TJ McConnell, Scottie Pippen Jr., and Payton Pritchard could certainly provide support for the Rockets, but Houston would have to do a lot to land them.

They would need to cut salaries for a trade, which would obviously eat into the strong roster and chemistry they have built over the years.

Pritchard might be the most appealing of these five, because he has been doing great work for the Boston Celtics recently.

Plus, the Celtics have shown that they are open for business this summer, which means they could pick up the phone if Houston calls.

Although the Rockets might take a run at any of these players, there is also a very good chance that they will work with the men they already have.

Instead of shedding contracts and assets, they may just keep their current team and require multiple players to step up and attempt to pick up the slack.

Losing VanVleet is a huge headache for the Rockets, but they have some options aside from attempting to put together a trade just days before training camp.

The post Bill Simmons Names 5 PGs Rockets Should Target appeared first on The Cold Wire.