Rockets could acquire the perfect Fred VanVleet replacement- but at a cost

As the Houston Rockets attempt to navigate the new season without their veteran leader and point guard Fred VanVleet, the team will need to rally around each other in order to take on the additional offensive burden that VanVleet has left behind with his injury.

However, while the team will certainly do its utmost to have its internal solutions fill this gap at first, their sights are ultimately set on a championship this season, and, according to the Chicago Sun Times, the Rockets could ultimately make a rental trade for Coby White of the Chicago Bulls if their first efforts fall flat.

Although the team does currently plan to have either Amen Thompson or Reed Sheppard fill this gap to start the season, the urgency to win is now present with their acquisition of Kevin Durant, and White could be the perfect piece to help them get there if they decide to dig even deeper into their win-now stance.

Coby White could be a (potentially temporary) solution to the Rockets' Fred VanVleet issue

Make no bones about it, Houston's loss of their starting point guard and leader has massive implications for the team's ceiling this season. Although Amen Thompson has proven himself as a capable ball-handler, there is no indication as of yet that he is ready to take on the necessary offensive workload to replace VanVleet's production.

Moreover, Sheppard's limitations on defense and the fact that his outside shot has not yet developed into a viable offensive option likely limit him from being a starter for this team barring a sizable breakout.

Therefore, although the team is largely restricted from making a trade until December 15 as a result of their offseason acquisitions, the Chicago Sun Times has suggested a potential blockbuster move they can make at that time: trading for White.

White, who will be entering unrestricted free agency at the end of the season, is likely to command a payday similar to the one Josh Giddey got this offseason, and it is unclear whether the Bulls will be willing to invest that heavily in their backcourt, meaning it is quite possible that White becomes available.

Last season, through 70 games, White averaged 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists, and, while he is not necessarily the playmaker that Houston might need, his presence on offense could slide Thompson back to a more suitable position and could raise the offense's ceiling significantly.

Yet, the cost suggested by the Chicago Sun Times, which includes Sheppard and soon-to-be restricted free agent Tari Eason, could be much too high for the Rockets to pay. Although it is quite possible that, given the organization's financial limitations, Sheppard is traded before the end of his rookie contract, Eason has become an increasingly important part of this team and is a player that is beloved by the coaching staff.

Therefore, although White is likely to earn a contract around a $25 million annual value next offseason, and could thus be re-signed by the Rockets if Eason was gone, such a price might be far too high to pay for what could be a temporary solution for their biggest issue.