The Houston Rockets plan to apply for a Disabled Player Exception following Fred VanVleet’s season-ending knee injury, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
If granted, the exception would be worth $12.5 million – half of VanVleet’s $25 million salary – and allow the team to add a replacement player without affecting cap space.
The player underwent surgery last month to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and is expected to miss the entire season. An NBA-appointed doctor must confirm that he’s likely out through June 15 for the exception to be approved.
Speaking to reporters Monday for the first time since the injury, VanVleet admitted the setback was hard to take after entering camp in top form.
“I probably was in the best shape of my life leading up into this season,” he told The Houston Chronicle. “So that was definitely disheartening to get hurt at that stage before the season.”
The Rockets’ starting point guard said there’s no timeline for his return but remains optimistic.
“Just taking it slow, day-by-day,” he said. “We’ll see where we’re at towards the end of the year.”
VanVleet, who holds a $25 million player option for next season, is determined to come back stronger.
“I’m gonna come back a much better person, player, everything in between,” he said. “You take so many things for granted … so to be able to build yourself back up from ground zero, I have no doubt that I’ll come back a more complete, better player and person.”
Rockets Plan To Apply For DPE Over VanVleet’s Injury https://t.co/DoAPF6SyFN pic.twitter.com/00mDJByihy
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 27, 2025
