VanVleet Tears ACL; Rockets Hard‑Capped

Fred VanVleet tore his right ACL in a workout and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025–26 season. He is scheduled for surgery this week and had signed a two‑year, $50 million extension this summer; he also serves as NBPA president. Houston’s ability to replace him is constrained because the club sits roughly $1.2–$1.25 million below the first luxury‑tax apron after the Kevin Durant trade, has no open roster spots and cannot use a Disabled Player Exception or sign a veteran minimum without breaching the apron. Several players are restricted from being traded until Dec. 15, so any external roster fixes would likely require shedding salary and take time; the Rockets will instead rely on internal options — Aaron Holiday, Amen Thompson, No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard and added playmaking from Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant — to absorb VanVleet’s minutes. The injury lengthens Houston’s title odds and significantly complicates the Durant‑era window as the Rockets prepare to open the season against defending champion Oklahoma City.