Amid a dissatisfying 1-2 start to the 2025-26 season, the talk around the Houston Rockets’ water cooler has centered around veteran point guard Fred VanVleet. Since being signed in 2023, he’s been one of the franchise’s most popular pieces. However, while looking to carry his momentum from the 2025 NBA Playoffs into the 2025-26 regular season, the 31-year-old suffered a debilitating offseason injury.
7 Players The Rockets Should Consider Signing With $12.5 Million DPE
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeline for ACL tears. However, it seemed probable that VanVleet would miss the entire season when the news first broke. The worst-case scenario was confirmed on Monday, as the Rockets “plan to file” for a Disabled Players Exemption (DPE), per Yahoo Sports reporter Kelly Iko. If there’s a silver lining to the news, it’s that the exception would be $12.5 million, equivalent to 50% of VanVleet’s 2025-26 salary.
