Houston media discuss Rockets' point guard recruitment: Two All-Stars are off the table, White is ideal, Reeves is worth pursuing

On November 4th Beijing time, The Dream Shake discussed the Rockets' point guard issue. Having secured three consecutive wins, do the Rockets still need to bring in a point guard? Below is the media's analysis—

You might believe the Rockets don't need a point guard. It's true that after five games, they lead the NBA with a 126.5 offensive efficiency. However, don't forget it's just five games. Beating the Nets and Raptors was never the goal—the Rockets aim for a deeper playoff run.

Their offensive rebound rate of 42.1% is also the highest in the league. This shouldn't be dismissed as a mere "temporary fix," but it could become a "dependency" for the team. Last season, the Rockets relied on a steady stream of extra offensive possessions to compensate for their half-court struggles. This strategy is interesting, but relying on it to reach the Western Conference Finals is unlikely. Without a dependable ball-handler in the backcourt, the Rockets might face trouble before even reaching that stage.

Of course, this doesn't mean the team must acquire such a player this year. They could take the opportunity to develop the ball-handling skills of Amen Thompson and Reid Sheppard, and when VanVleet returns next season, these two could become more dynamic players. This plan is feasible but carries risks—Durant is like a ticking time bomb: he might maintain peak form in 2025-26, but no one can predict what will happen in 2026-27.

Perhaps focusing on next season is the safest approach. Bringing in the well-known guards mentioned in this article would likely require VanVleet to waive his implied "trade veto." VanVleet's "spiritual value" in the locker room is crucial, and the team might prefer to preserve player relationships rather than adopt a cold, hard stance.

Putting all that aside, the conclusion is simple: if the Rockets truly decide to trade for a point guard this year, they must choose the right one.

Absolutely no Morant or Trae Young

Ja Morant's impulsiveness is undeniable, and he severely lacks self-awareness. In a recent postgame interview, he publicly shifted blame onto teammates and the coaching staff.

This pattern has been frequent throughout his career. If his career three-point shooting percentage weren't only 31.3%, and this season down to 15.6%, the team might consider tolerating his temperament. But with such a critical weakness, the Rockets should definitely not risk acquiring him.

Wait, someone mentioned Trae Young's defense?

This candidate must also be firmly ruled out. Trae Young is one of the worst defenders in the NBA. Some might say it doesn't matter because the Rockets' lineup can "mask Young's defensive flaws." But I'm not sure that claim holds, and even if it does, it's meaningless.

Firstly, the Rockets' roster construction was never intended to "cover up a poor defender"—their philosophy is to "dominate on defense." Their goal is to be a "top-tier defensive and above-average offensive" team, not a mediocre squad that merely balances offense and defense.

Some might argue this is too narrow-minded since "net efficiency" is what counts. That's true, but elite teams have their own "core traits," and the Rockets would never want their identity to become "Trae Young plus a group of defenders."

Moreover, the Rockets may not currently have enough defensive resources to shield Trae Young. With VanVleet injured and Dillon gone, the team mostly has excellent help defenders but lacks depth in "primary on-ball defenders." Amen Thompson can guard multiple positions, but making him a dedicated on-ball defender would remove him from his best role creating key offensive opportunities. Ultimately, acquiring a point guard is meant to solve problems, but bringing in Trae Young would only worsen them.

The same applies offensively: the Rockets wouldn't want to take the ball from Sengun and hand it over to Trae Young. They don't need a "ball-dominant facilitator," but rather a "3D guard who can shoot threes, defend, and handle the ball reliably."

Several point guards the Rockets could target

Derrick White is the most ideal candidate. With the Celtics' roster unsettled, White as the primary ball-handler has seen a dip in three-point efficiency, but we all know he can shoot, defend, and run the offense.

Speaking of former Celtics, how long can Jrue Holiday stay with the Trail Blazers? This situation warrants attention. His contract is somewhat "overpriced," and the Trail Blazers, who rarely tank, might want to keep him. But if Scoot Henderson returns healthy and performs well, Portland might reconsider their roster construction.

Have you seen Austin Reeves' 2025-26 season stats? He averages 31.1 points and 9.3 assists per game, which is incredible. Of course, the sample size is still small and stats might be inflated, but Reeves' talent is genuine—he meets all the Rockets' needs. However, his upcoming contract negotiations could complicate matters.

These are well-known players who have a reasonable chance of being pursued. Actually, some lesser-known, underrated options might be more viable. Chris Dunn would be a great choice. Bulls' Dosunmu and Pelicans' Alvarado are also worth considering.

In a way, the logic of "we need a point guard, so let's bring in Trae Young" is as absurd as "there's a crack in the wall, so let's tear down the house and rebuild." The Rockets only need a guard who can shoot, defend matchups, and handle the ball well.

If they find such a player, maybe then we can start discussing the Rockets' chances of contending for the NBA championship.