Rockets can comfortably avoid Chris Paul reunion if rumor proves true

The Houston Rockets could use some help in the backcourt.

That's been the consensus since their summer flurry of roster moves. The Rockets have tremendous wing depth. They've got an impressive collection of big men. If they need help, it's in the guard department.

Some might have them reuniting with a former franchise star. To be sure, there's some appeal in reuniting with Chris Paul. He's a free agent:

But if the latest rumors are true, the Rockets should avoid signing him.

Rockets don't need to start aging star

Those rumors suggest that Paul is looking for a starting role in 2025-26. The Rockets don't have one to offer him.

Sure, Paul was comparable to Fred VanVleet last year. His 0.8 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) is nearly identical to VanVleet's 0.9. Paul also averaged 7.4 assists to VanVleet's 5.6, and shot 37.7% from deep to VanVleet's 34.5%. Wait a minute:

Are we sure Paul isn't the better player?

It's a moot point. To begin with, Paul is 40. VanVleet is 31. The former is due for regression, while the latter can be optimistic about a bounce-back season.

More broadly, VanVleet is one of the Rockets' spiritual leaders. He's helped usher in a new era for the organization. Making a mostly lateral pivot to another point guard now wouldn't make sense:

Could the two play together?

Rockets must prioritize youth

No.

To begin with, they're both small guards. Offensively, it should be fine - we've seen Paul function off the ball alongside James Harden - but defensively, it could be problematic. That's not a compromise Ime Udoka is going to live with.

Moreover, he's got Amen Thompson at his disposal. The 6'7" athletic marvel is expected to start at the 2 next year. That's more Udoka's speed. Besides, Thompson is one of the Rockets' most exciting young players - he needs to be in the starting lineup next year.

That brings us to a broader point - Reed Sheppard needs to get in the rotation. If Paul wants a starting role, he might settle for a high-minute bench role - but no less. In any event, he'll be stepping on Sheppard's toes.

On a surface level, there's a convincing argument to bring Paul back. The Rockets need a guard, and he's good. Unfortunately, if he's truly seeking a starting role, it makes him more trouble than he's worth for Houston:

They'll need to find backcourt help elsewhere.