If this is the case he needs to make his decision soon if we want to apply for the disabled player exception in his case -
https://basketball.realgm.com/analysis/240416/CBA-Encyclopedia-Disabled-Player-Exception
Unlike other exceptions, teams must apply for the Disabled Player Exception. That application can only be submitted on or before January 15 and the exception can be used no later than March 10 of that season or when the player returns, whichever happens first.
We need to submit application by a week from tomorrow. If it was granted then we'd get $5M to spend on any one player. This could be really beneficial to us in the post trade deadline veteran cuts period.
Other things to know about the DPE -
*The amount of the Disabled Player Exception is the lesser of half the injured player’s salary or the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception. Technically, teams get an extra $100,000 of wiggle room if they use their DPE to trade for a player but that is pretty much the deal.
*If approved, the Disabled Player Exception can only be used on one player. While teams can choose to split some exceptions like the Mid-Levels and Bi-Annual, the DPE cannot go to multiple players. The entire exception expires once used regardless of the replacement player’s salary. This makes sense given the purpose of the exception.
*However the Disabled Player Exception is used, that season must be the final season on the new player’s contract. This means no option years or anything of the sort. No remaining years, no exceptions.
*Generating a Disabled Player Exception does not reduce the salary of the player in question and has no impact on the luxury tax obligations of a franchise unless used. As an exception, the DPE only functions as a way for teams to add a piece to replace the injured player. The CBA does have a way for teams to apply for cap relief in cases of death and career-ending injury, detailed here.
*Teams can use a Disabled Player Exception to sign a free agent, trade for a player or claim someone off waivers as long as they fit the other requirements. This nuance separates the DPE from the MLE and BAE (cannot trade for a player) and trade exceptions (cannot be used to sign a player).
