Analyst finds the only silver lining in devastating Fred VanVleet news

Houston Rockets fans are reeling from the loss of Fred VanVleet. As devastated as they are, there could be a silver lining in forcing Amen Thompson to play point guard.

It can feel tacky to discuss the practical ramifications of an injury. VanVleet's career could be permanently compromised. Nobody can say how his recovery will look or what his NBA trajectory will be moving forward.

If nothing else, VanVleet is a team-first guy. He wants what's best for the Rockets. Make no mistake - what would be best for the Rockets would be for Fred VanVleet to be healthy. Given the current conditions, we need to consider the next best outcome.

The Hoop Collective's Tim Bontemps may have identified it.

Rockets' Amen Thompson forced into new role

"This is going to force Houston to do the best long-term thing...which is to give the ball to Amen Thompson and let him loose"

- Tom Bontemps, The Hoops Collective

It feels like an eternity since Thompson was drafted as a 6'7" point guard. He's been a wing for two years in the NBA. Thompson does not spend as much time with the ball as many had envisioned when he was coming into the league.

That happens when lottery picks join contenders. The Rockets aren't a developmental program - they want to win an NBA title. That pursuit has meant putting the ball in the veteran VanVleet's hands and keeping it out of Thompson's. Heading into 2025-26, Thompson will get on-ball reps out of necessity.

How is he likely to do with them?

Rockets' Amen Thompson has room to grow

In 2024-25, Thompson scored 0.85 Points Per Possession (PPP) in isolation, which landed him in the 41.3rd percentile. He wasn't much better in the pick-and-roll, where he generated the same 0.85 PPP to land in the 46.3rd percentile.

Everyone knows that Thompson's shortcomings as a ball handler largely stem from his limited shooting range. Defenses pack the paint when he's on the ball. It's a problem:

But it's not insurmountable.

Thompson is averaging 4.4 assists per 75 possessions throughout his NBA career so far. That's a strong mark for such a low-usage ball-handler. Thompson's remarkable floor vision is the reason scouts saw a point guard when he was coming out of the Overtime Elite program.

With more NBA reps, he should learn how to apply pressure on the rim and open up the floor for his passing. Now, he's going to get those reps. With VanVleet on the sidelines, Thompson will run more point than he has at any point in his NBA career.

If there's a silver lining, that would be it.