In June 2025, the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet to a two-year, $44.9 million deal. Months later, VanVleet suffered a torn ACL during an offseason workout in the Bahamas.Â
The 31-year-old was ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season. On October 27, Houston filed for a disabled player exception (DPE) for Fred VanVleet. On Tuesday, December 16, NBA insider Kelly Iko reported that the Rockets were rewarded with a $12.5 million DPE. However, he noted that the Rockets are still hard-capped at the first apron.
Will the Rockets use their $12.5 million disabled player exception?
The Houston Rockets were recently granted a $12.5 million Disabled Players Exemption for guard Fred VanVleet, source told @YahooSports. VanVleet tore his right ACL prior to training camp.
Houston is still hard-capped at the first apron. https://t.co/Ve5ivJy40m
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 16, 2025
As he had been the previous two seasons, the Rockets anticipated Fred VanVleet being their starting PG. However, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in September. That’s forced head coach Ime Udoka to be creative with the lineup in 2025-26. Amen Thompson technically starts at PG for Houston. The team has a fluid offense, and center Alperen Sengun leads the Rockets with 7.1 assists per game.
With Fred VanVleet done for the year, the Rockets filed for a disabled player exception on October 27. NBA insider Kelly Iko reported on Tuesday, December 16, that Houston received a $12.5 million DPE for Fred VanVleet. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that the Rockets cannot use the $12.5 million player exception if it pushes the team above the first apron.
Rockets Granted $12.5M Disabled Player Exception For Fred VanVleet https://t.co/MGFmVPEP1N
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 16, 2025
The Rockets would have to trade one of the larger salaries on the roster in order to have room for the $12.5 million DPE. At 16-7, it’s unlikely to see Houston shake up the team. Without a true PG in 2025-26, Houston is competitive in the West. As of Wednesday, December 17, the Rockets are fifth in the Western Conference.
Additionally, Houston is limited to veteran minimum contracts for adding players. The team doesn’t have any real flexibility with the roster they’ve constructed. Fred VanVleet’s $25 million in 2025-26 was the third-highest salary for the Rockets. Houston could look to rework their deal with VanVleet due to his injury. That is never a guarentee. For now, the Rockets will ride with the roster they constructed for 2025-26. The team believes they’re contenders in the West.
