https://www.clutchfans.net/13490/as-playoffs-loom-fred-vanvleet-still-not-ruling-out-2025-26-return/ I have deeply appreciated Fred being involved any way he can to help the team this year. He is very engaged. No one has a clue, not even Fred himself, if he can make it back for the playoffs but what a morale booster it would be.
Rich Paul continues to hint at his return before the postseason . He's what we need even at 80 percent to handle the ball. First week of April is what I've heard...then again, Tatum came out of nowhere (sort of) FVV is going to be on the playoff roster one way or another. He wants a chance to win with Durant.
7 months is record time for ACL surgery return. I doubt he's back in April. As the article states, conference finals and Finals rounds of playoffs is more realistic IF the Rockets advance
I watched some highlights of Tristen Newton. When is Ime going to give him some burn. Seems like he has a knack for passing the lob. Especially when he was with Clingan at uconn. So we don't get our hopes up for Fred coming back. Like he's Willis Reed or something.
Fairly obvious he's targeting a return before the season's end. September 22 was the date of the tear. Last day of the season is April 12, a tick under 7 months since the injury. Hoping he returns so we can see what this looks like with him in the fold and the power couple of Ime and Stone can make some decisions this Summer. Maybe we can trade Reed for Mike Conley and Amen for Giannis.
Tatum knew by December/January that he could play. If Fred does not know by End March, then he would not be able to come back...... otherwise it is a comeback with highest re-injury risk..... Not really recommendable anyways. BTW Tatum is already taking games off to manage his injured parts just as Steven Adams was in the beginning, so he is not really 100%.
He may not be ready, but this is a weird take. If he’s able to play at 90% of his ability, he would help solve so many of this team’s current flaws: defense, turnovers, decision making, focus, morale, mental toughness. When FVV was out last year, the team was TERRIBLE. It’s amazing the Rockets have been able to hang in there without him.
The Rockets aren’t going to beat OKC, the Spurs, or Denver with or without Fred. So, it doesn’t really make a difference. If he thinks he can go, it might be entertaining to see what they look like with Fred on the court. It might also help us make some decisions for next season. When healthy, Fred is a good ball handler and good defender, and that’s something we do need. So, if healthy he could make the team better I suppose. Would hate to see him come back too soon and get hurt again.
I don't expect it to be smooth sailing ....he is probably playing 1 game out of 2-3 and then has to be managed over time.... Lol this is going to be another chapter of rushing someone back ....good luck with that. This is not Jamal Murray playing thru the flu and still dropping 28 and 35.
