What happened: Fred VanVleet says he is close to resuming full-time court work after daily rehabilitation workouts. He described the comeback as feeling like a rookie and said Houston still has a championship ceiling.
Why it matters: Houston's ball security declined sharply during his absence, making his comeback central to the offense and its title ambitions. The upcoming season is the final year of his two-year contract.
By the numbers: VanVleet missed all 82 regular-season games in 2025-26. Houston ranked 27th in turnover rate after placing 11th and seventh in his first two seasons with the team.
What to watch: His progression to full-time court work is the next checkpoint before training camp. Preseason availability will provide the first test of his readiness for opening night.