Fred VanVleet (right ankle strain) still needs more recovery time before returning to game action for the Rockets, head coach Ime Udoka said Friday.

The Rockets have been without Smith since Jan.2nd and VanVleet since Feb. 2nd. The Rockets have at times looked elite during Smith injury but since VanVleet has went out with an a

Most around the league expect the Rockets to opt Fred VanVleet out of his contract to re-sign him at a more reasonable number for the next few years (similar to what the Minnesota Timberwolves executed with Rudy Gobert). Naz Reid is expected to opt out to explore free agency, but he's believed to be a priority for the Timberwolves.