The Houston Rockets just got a bit of financial relief - but not much flexibility - as they continue to navigate a season without their floor general. On Tuesday, the NBA granted Houston a $12.5 million Disabled Player Exception (DPE) for Fred VanVleet, who tore his right ACL before training camp and is out for the season. The exception gives the Rockets a tool to potentially add a replacement, but there’s a catch: they’re still hard-capped at the first apron, which limits how much they can actually spend.
VanVleet was expected to be the engine of the Rockets’ offense again this year, just as he had been the past two seasons. His absence forced head coach Ime Udoka to pivot quickly.
The result? A new-look lineup that’s leaned into youth and creativity.
Second-year guard Amen Thompson has stepped into the starting point guard role, and while there have been growing pains, he’s shown flashes of the two-way potential that made him a top-five pick. Interestingly, it’s been center Alperen Sengun who’s taken on a surprising amount of playmaking responsibility. He currently leads the team with 7.1 assists per game - a number that speaks volumes about both his development and the Rockets’ evolving offensive identity.
The Rockets initially filed for the DPE back on October 27, shortly after it became clear VanVleet wouldn’t return this season. The league approved the request on December 16.
The $12.5 million exception allows the team to sign, trade for, or claim a player on an expiring contract worth up to that amount - but again, the first apron hard cap still looms large. That means Houston can’t go over a certain salary threshold, even with the DPE in hand.
And that’s where things get tricky.
Houston has already made a splash this season by trading for Kevin Durant, a move that signaled their intent to compete now - not just build for the future. Before landing Durant, the Rockets were rumored to be eyeing Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that door appears closed for now.
As it stands, the Rockets are locked into their current roster structure. They can only add players on veteran minimum deals, and with VanVleet’s $25 million salary still on the books - the third-highest on the team - there’s not much wiggle room. To complicate matters further, VanVleet, Jae’Sean Tate, and Aaron Holiday all hold implicit no-trade clauses, making it highly unlikely any of them will be moved this season.
So, for now, Houston is rolling with what they’ve got - and they believe it’s enough. Despite the injury setback and financial limitations, there’s a quiet confidence within the organization. With Durant in the fold, Sengun blossoming into a true offensive hub, and young players like Thompson getting valuable reps, the Rockets are betting that their current group can make noise in a loaded Western Conference.
Next up: a road test against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night at Smoothie King Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, with the game available on Space City Home Network and NBA League Pass.
Stay tuned for more coverage before and after the game - because this Rockets season is just getting started.