The Rockets plan to apply for an injury exception! The amount can reach $12.5 million. VanVleet is expected to be out for the season.

On October 28, according to famous reporter Kelly Iko, the Rockets planned to apply for an injury exception due to VanVleet's knee injury. If the exception application is approved, its value will be US$12.5 million, equivalent to 50% of VanVleet's annual salary of US$25 million.

The Rockets can use this exception to sign a player, with the contract amount not exceeding the value of the exception and without taking up salary space. Specifically, it can be used to sign a player to a one-year contract, trade for a player with the final year of his contract, or claim a waived player who is in the final year of his contract.

It is reported that the Rockets' application needs to be determined by the NBA's designated physician. It is "extremely likely" that the player will not be able to play before June 15 of the current season. More than a month ago, VanVleet underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and is expected to miss the entire season. He was in peak physical condition before being injured during offseason training in the Bahamas.

Recently, VanVleet told the "Houston Chronicle", "At that time, I was full of expectations for the new season. My physical condition was also the best in my career. I was particularly eager to have a good start, so getting injured at this stage before the season was really frustrating."

As the Rockets' starting point guard for the past two seasons, Guard, VanVleet currently has no clear timetable for return. "There is no timetable, just take your time and advance day by day. You must observe week by week, day by day, and then look at the recovery situation at the end of the season."

VanVleet has a player option worth $25 million next season, and his goal is to return to the game in better condition.

VanVleet said, "I will come back in better shape as a person, as a player, and more mature in every aspect. This is how I do things and who I am as a person. The recovery process is very slow, and you realize that a lot of things are taken for granted, such as needing to learn to walk again, like a toddler. Step by step. So I can reshape myself from scratch, and I have no doubt that I will become a more comprehensive and better player and person."

The Rockets lost the first two games of the new season, losing to the Thunder 124-125 in double overtime and the Pistons 111-115. Their opponent in the third game was the Nets.