Rockets could land the perfect guard at the heartbreaking cost of Fred VanVleet

The Houston Rockets have likely been linked to Derrick White more than any other star guard. That's because he'd a perfect fit with the roster. Bleacher Report just proposed a trade that would bring the Celtics guard to Houston.

Those are the details. They're a bit wonky. There's lots to take issue with: If you're anything other than a Rockets fan.

Rockets benefit from otherwise odd trade proposal

Firstly, why are the Nets even involved here?

The article indicates that they're landing a first-round pick for absorbing Fred VanVleet's contract. To be sure, his deal would limit their otherwise surplus of cap space heading into 2026-27.

That's not how the NBA market works. VanVleet's deal isn't a negative asset. If the Nets don't want it, they don't have to take it. They won't land a first-round pick for absorbing a contract just because it's specifically inconvenient for them.

So, it would make sense to cut out the middleman. The deal might as well be something more like this:

I'm addressing another issue here. The Celtics shouldn't settle for future Rockets picks when the team is built to contend for a long time. They ought to insist on at least one of the Rockets' more valuable picks.

Let's stop being myopic. In spirit, Bleacher Report is proposing VanVleet, Sheppard, and two first-round picks for Derrick White. Hauser is far from a throw-in, but if the Celtics really wanted to flip White for VanVleet, Sheppar,d and draft capital, they'd be unlikely to let him halt negotiations:

And the Rockets shouldn't let anything stop this deal from going through.

White could be missing piece for Rockets' title hopes

Some Rockets trade suggestions are misguided. The team doesn't need to acquire a high-volume, heliocentric guard like Trae Young or Ja Morant. They don't need to overhaul their offense when they've got the best Offensive Rating (126.5) in the NBA.

They could use an additional ball-handler. It's imperative that they can space the floor. If they're a stout point of attack defender, that will allow Amen Thompson to go back to playing free safety against plenty of matchups.

Put differently, Derrick White is the perfect acquisition.

Some will point to his 25.0% three-point shooting in 2025-26. The Rockets shouldn't worry. White has been miscast as a primary playmaker in 2025-26. He'd return to his natural role in Houston. With less defensive pressure, he should get back to the type of high efficiency he's produced for the last several seasons.

This proposal is oddly constructed. It's also likely moot. VanVleet would have to waive his implicit no-trade clause, and he's probably not going to do that. Still, if I'm grading it from a Rockets' perspective, it's getting an A.

Grade: A