Could rarely-used NBA loophole help Rockets fix point guard conundrum?

Fred VanVleet could miss all of 2025 due to a torn ACL. Can Houston find a suitable replacement for its captain and point guard?The Houston Rockets are caught between a rock and a hard place in their backcourt after last month's torn ACL suffered by team captain and point guard Fred VanVleet. Houston hopes the NBA league office can assist in finding a suitable replacement.

Houston applied for a Disabled Players Exemption (DPE) for VanVleet for the 2025-26 season, a team source confirmed to Chron. Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko was first to report news of Houston's application. The Rockets could receive a $12.5 million salary exemption if approved by the NBA, half of VanVleet's $25 million salary…