The Houston Rockets are navigating a tough stretch-both financially and on the floor-after losing starting point guard Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL late in the offseason. The injury didn’t just take a veteran leader off the court; it also triggered a cascade of roster and cap complications that have left Houston in a bind, even with the NBA granting them a $12.5 million Disabled Player Exception (DPE).
Let’s unpack where things stand, what’s working, and why a major move might not be in the cards-even if the need for a true floor general still lingers.
The Cap Crunch Is Real
The Rockets are hard-capped at the first apron, and as of now, they’ve got just over $1 million in breathing room below that line. That’s not exactly enough space to make a meaningful splash. While December 15 has come and gone-unlocking the trade eligibility of several offseason signees like Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela-the financial gymnastics required to bring in a starting-caliber point guard are still daunting.
Even with the $12.5 million DPE in hand, Houston can’t simply spend their way out of this. The exception allows them to acquire a player via trade or free agency, but it doesn’t lift the apron restriction.
That’s the catch. They can use the DPE, sure-but only if they stay under the apron, which leaves them stuck between a rock and a hard cap.
Internal Development Is Buying Time
Here’s the silver lining: the Rockets’ young guards have stepped up in VanVleet’s absence. Amen Thompson and rookie Reed Sheppard have both shown flashes of being able to run the offense, while Josh Okogie and Aaron Holiday have given Houston some much-needed backcourt stability. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s been enough to keep the Rockets competitive.
Throw in Alperen Sengun, who continues to evolve as the team’s offensive hub, and you’ve got a team that’s finding creative ways to share the playmaking load. That said, the turnover numbers tell a different story.
Houston currently owns the second-worst turnover rate in the league-just ahead of the youthful, high-octane Portland Trail Blazers. That’s a red flag.
No matter how promising the young guards look, the lack of a steady, traditional point guard is showing up in the possession game.
Trade Options Are Limited-and Costly
On paper, the solution seems simple: trade for a veteran point guard. But in practice, it’s anything but.
VanVleet’s $25 million average annual value would be the most logical salary to move in a deal, but there’s a major roadblock-his no-trade clause. Beyond the contractual hurdle, there’s the human element. VanVleet is a respected voice in the locker room, and unless the Rockets are absolutely desperate, it’s hard to see them asking him to waive that clause just to make a marginal upgrade.
Then there’s the question of who else they could deal. Steven Adams has been a key contributor and is essentially untouchable at this point.
Finney-Smith and Tari Eason are both critical to Houston’s frontcourt depth and perimeter defense-not to mention their ability to stretch the floor. Moving either would compromise the very identity this team is trying to build.
Capela, who has struggled offensively this season, might be the most expendable of the group. But his contract alone likely isn’t enough to bring back the kind of player Houston would want in return, especially given the limited market for traditional centers in today’s NBA.
Standing Pat Might Be the Smart Play-for Now
So where does that leave the Rockets? Probably right where they are.
Yes, they could use a more traditional point guard. And yes, the DPE gives them a bit of flexibility. But between the hard cap, the value of their current pieces, and the chemistry they’re building, a major trade just doesn’t seem likely at this stage of the season.
Instead, Houston might be best served by continuing to lean into internal growth. Thompson and Sheppard are getting valuable reps.
Sengun is blossoming as a playmaker. The defense has shown real bite.
And while the turnovers are a concern, the Rockets are still very much in the mix in a crowded Western Conference.
The loss of VanVleet was a gut punch. But so far, Houston has responded with resilience-and that might be the most important development of all.