[SHAMS] Fred VanVleet - Torn ACL - Out for the season

He's an easy player to underrate. He runs low FG% because he takes so many threes. He's a not-super-athletic 6'0" (at best). He doesn't make highlight passes, he's got a solid understanding of the point guard position but doesn't create huge advantages by himself.

"He runs the offense well and almost never turns the ball over, creates a lot of floor spacing, and plays good (but not spectacular) defense" just is not an exciting package, but it does create significant value, and it pretty much covers the bases for what you actually need from a lead guard in today's league.

If the team is even better without him, it will be mainly because we added KD, and perhaps secondarily because his steady play was nevertheless creating an opportunity cost for other players to have the ball in their hands more often.

 

Our offensive talent level is higher this year than last year, by replacing Jalen with KD and the other young guys growing up one more year. We wouldn't have to rely so much on FVV even if he's not hurt. He would have downgraded to where he should be perhaps coming off the bench by midseason if Reed matures fast.

 

I see FVV as a player that can dribble, pass, shot, process, and defend. Maybe not the greatest at any one thing, but hard to find someone that does all that at the PG. He's taken a hit on his rim pressure during his time as a Rocket.

I just haven't seen the opportunity cost. I've seen the development of young players with FVV giving up a lot of the playmaking during the middle of last season as others became better. I am really excited about this coming season because of the development of Amen and Alperon. I don't want to give too much credit to FVV on their development, but I have a hard time seeing him as an impediment when guys are getting so good so quickly. I'm not big on having veterans for veterans sake, but I think FVV added structure to the team.