The NBA has granted the Miami Heat’s request for a disabled player exception in the wake of Dion Waiters’ injury. This type of exception allows a team to trade or sign someone for half of an injured player’s salary — in this case, the exception is worth $5.5 million — if an independent doctor determines that the player will be sidelined at least through June 15.
Heat confirmed it was granted $5.5 M disabled player exception in wake of Waiters injury/surgery
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 1, 2018
The catch, though, is that any trade using this exception can only work for a player on an expiring contract.