Rockets could avoid heartbreaking VanVleet move with one simple trade

As the Houston Rockets attempt to carve out a path toward a deep playoff run this season, it remains unclear whether or not they will ultimately need to trade for an additional backcourt presence to help buoy their burgeoning offensive front.

Nevertheless, it's always interesting to entertain options that could potentially be viable for the organization to plug the hole that Fred VanVleet's absence has left, and, in a piece by Brad Botkin that suggests a number of potential trade targets for Houston, an interesting solution is revealed: Collin Sexton of the Charlotte Hornets.

While Sexton is not necessarily the reliable ball-hander that the Rockets might crave in VanVleet's absence, his expiring contract would make a deal much easier than it would be otherwise, and he could have the skill-set to fit into the team's rotation relatively cleanly.

Collin Sexton could be the ideal trade target for the Rockets to shore up their backcourt

Sexton, since he departed the Cleveland Cavaliers, has existed in relative NBA anonymity, playing a lengthy stint with the Utah Jazz and being sent to the Charlotte Hornets in a trade this offseason.

Yet, despite his warts, he has still been an effective and impactful player throughout the course of his career.

Last season, through 63 games with the Jazz, Sexton averaged 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 40.6% from 3-point range. While he is relatively turnover prone (his 1.82 assist-to-turnover ratio this season is sub-par), he has shown an ability and a willingness to get the ball where it needs to go, and he could certainly provide an additional scoring boost to the team when needed.

What he most clearly provides, though, is a relatively cheap, expiring contract that the Rockets would not have to move VanVleet to acquire.

In the final season of his four-year, $71 million deal, Sexton is set to make just under $19 million: a number that could be matched by combining Dorian Finney-Smith's and Clint Capela's contracts.

Moreover, it is likely that, for now, Sexton's contract solely represents additional salary for Charlotte, and, if they were looking to get rookie wing Kon Knueppel more opportunities, a cheap move off of Sexton could be in the cards.

On the one hand, Houston clearly prides themselves on their depth, and sacrificing both Finney-Smith and Capela would represent a drastic blow to their rotation.

Yet, if the need for a guard proves more dire than it appears currently, Sexton could be the perfect answer, and it would not require them to pull the trigger on a heartbreaking move involving VanVleet's contract.