Rockets in line to replace Fred VanVleet on the cheap after rival’s drama

The search for Fred VanVleet's replacement at point guard may very well take the Houston Rockets to an unexpected destination. While Houston is exploring its options, the Memphis Grizzlies are embroiled in a public dispute with their own primary playmaker: Ja Morant.

Trading for a 26-year-old point guard with an already decorated résumé is typically an expensive endeavor, but the Rockets may actually have a unique opportunity to acquire Morant on the cheap—relatively speaking.

Morant won Rookie of the Year and secured All-Rookie First Team honors in 2019-20. He then took home the 2021-22 Most Improved Player award, as well as All-NBA Second Team honors, while making one of his two career All-Star Game appearances.

Due to factors such as injuries and a history of suspensions, however, NBA insiders Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps stated on The Hoop Collective that there's a limited trade market for Morant.

"Bontemps, you say trade him. Here's the problem: You guys talk to people, I talk to people. Do you find a lot of people that believe there's going to be some robust market if [the Grizzlies] do shop Ja Morant?"

Bontemps responded by saying the following:

"No. No, I don't think there is one. And I think for a couple reasons. One is, all the things we just talked about [suspensions, injury history]. Second is: He's just not that much of a difference maker at the position."

With this in mind, the Rockets must at least explore the cost of acquiring an All-NBA point guard in their prime for a potentially reasonable price.

Ja Morant feud with Grizzlies opens door for Rockets to make huge trade

Morant and the Grizzlies are currently at odds after the polarizing point guard took to a public setting to express his discontent with the coaching staff. It's the latest development in a career trajectory that once seemed to have him destined for the Hall of Fame, but now has many questioning his future.

That could ultimately deter the Rockets from pursuing a trade of this nature, as there may be concerns over how he fits in a culture that Ime Udoka had to build from the ground up.

The upside of this potential trade, however, is unavoidable. When healthy, Morant is one of the most dynamic point guards in the NBA, capable of scoring with volume, creating for everyone on the court, and taking over late in games.

With a trio of Kevin Durant, Morant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, the Rockets could have one of the best star quartets the Association has to offer.

Since 2021-22, Morant has produced averages of 25.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 offensive board, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made in 32.0 minutes per game. That alone speaks to the type of elite value he can provide, at least on the offensive end of the floor.

With a sharpshooting teammate and four-time scoring champion in Durant, Morant would have a chance to run a top-tier offense in Houston.

The hurdle, of course, is that Memphis not having the list of options they may have expected to in a Morant trade doesn't necessarily mean they'll accept pennies on the dollar. Houston would still need to match his $39,446,090 salary for the 2025-26 season and provide adequate compensation in a potential trade offer.

With a depleted trade market offering the Rockets surprising leverage in potential Morant negotiations, however, the opportunity to acquire an All-NBA point guard is suddenly realistic.