The Rockets request NBA approval to sign a substitute for the injured VanVleet

After two consecutive initial defeats, Houston Rockets has managed to win their first game in the 2025/26 NBA season. The Texas franchise has started an exciting season with Kevin Durant as the star, but without Fred VanVleet, their starting point guard.

Therefore, the  Rockets have initiated the process to request a Disabled Player Exception from the NBA following the injury to the point guard, a key piece in the project led by Ime Udoka. The Texan franchise expects to receive league authorization in the coming days, although the procedure is not immediate or automatic.

For the request to be successful, the NBA must convene an independent medical panel to determine whether it is significantly more probable that VanVleet will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season than return before its conclusion. If the diagnosis confirms that scenario, the league will grant the Rockets a special salary exception.

What the exception would mean for Houston

If approved, the Disabled Player Exception would allow Houston an additional $12.5 million—half of VanVleet's current salary set at $25 million. This amount could be used to sign a player for the remainder of the season or to acquire a player through trade as long as their contract is about to expire, does not include options, and does not exceed $12.5 million in salary.

Despite its apparent usefulness, this tool presents significant limitations. The Rockets currently do not have room under their first salary cap limit (first apron) to execute an operation of that magnitude. Nevertheless, the franchise has chosen to proceed with the process, as maintaining the approved exception provides flexibility for the future: they could use it later if space is created through a roster move.

Furthermore, the use of the exception would not prevent VanVleet's return if his rehabilitation is expedited. Even if the Rockets had already utilized the $12.5 million to strengthen themselves, the Canadian point guard could rejoin without restrictions as soon as he receives medical clearance.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los Rockets piden a la NBA poder fichar a un sustituto del lesionado VanVleet