Tuesday the NBA awarded the Los Angeles Lakers with a $4.85 million disabled player exception for injured guard Steve Nash. In essence the Lakers gain a spending tool to add one player thru waiver claims or free agency making up to salary $4.85 million. The Lakers can also trade for a player making up to $4.95 million in salary.
The Lakers applied for the exception in the beginning of the season once Nash was ruled out for the rest of the 2014- 2015 season with nerve issues in his back. The NBA needed time to review Nash medical records to confirm the exception.
The Lakers have options with this exception. Option #1 is that the Lakers can trade Nash expiring contract but the exception will expire. Option #2 is that the Lakers can acquire a player first with the exception and then can deal Nash contract without penalty. The exception represents half of Nash salary which is $9.7 million.
Hopefully the Lakers can use this exception on a good veteran pickup to help out Kobe but the market is low for those types of players.
H/T L.A. Times