The Houston Rockets may not be looking for a blockbuster trade anytime soon, with Fred VanVleet’s successful return from a torn ACL giving the organization another reason to remain patient with its current roster.

Houston has opened the 2026-27 season 5-0 ahead of Friday night’s NBA Cup matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Thursday on Get Up that the Rockets do not appear eager to use their collection of draft assets on a major midseason move.

“They've got a bunch of picks, and they're not burning a hole in their pocket. I'll put it to you like that. Because they really like what they have now. Their big move was getting Fred VanVleet back,” MacMahon said.

VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his ACL but has immediately restored a natural point guard to Houston’s starting lineup. In his season debut against Dallas, the veteran finished with six points and 11 assists without a turnover in a 128-110 victory.

His impact has continued as Houston has remained unbeaten. VanVleet led the Rockets with 24 points in Wednesday’s 132-100 road rout of the Milwaukee Bucks, which pushed their record to 5-0. Houston enters Friday ranked third in the NBA with 123 points per game and is shooting a league-best 40.4% from 3-point range.

Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams returns could shape Rockets’ trade deadline approach

MacMahon also pointed to another internal addition Houston expects to make once Steven Adams returns.

“Another big move, and he's still out right now, is going to be getting Steven Adams back. They put together a team that had a chance last year, and they just never got to see it because of VanVleet's injury and then Steven Adams' injury.”

Adams is currently sidelined with a right soleus injury. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Monday the veteran center could miss approximately one to two weeks.

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Those returns could influence how general manager Rafael Stone approaches the trade market despite Houston possessing the assets necessary to pursue another established star.

“I don't think the Rockets are a big mid-season shakeup team,” MacMahon said. “I think they've got a group that has a chance right now, and they're going to let this thing play out.”

Houston’s strong start supports that approach. Rather than immediately chasing another blockbuster addition around Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, the Rockets could first evaluate a roster they never had fully available last season.

VanVleet’s return represents a significant part of that evaluation, and his early production has given Houston little reason to rush into a major trade.