The NBA granted the Los Angeles Lakers a $1.5 million disabled players exception for injured rookie Julius Randle.
The exception, representing half of Randle’s 3 million salary, can be used to sign a free agent or claim a player off waivers.
Per the LA Daily News:
The Lakers could also trade for a player that makes up to $1.6 million. Whichever move the Lakers might make, that player could not stay beyond the 2014-15 season. The Lakers filed for the exception shortly after Randle fractured his right tibia in the Lakers season-opening loss two weeks ago against Houston. Although the Lakers expected Randle would miss the season after having surgery the next day, the NBA needed to look at the paperwork surrounding Randle’s surgery.
The Lakers have also filed a disabled player exception for Steve Nash worth $4.9 million, which represents half of his $9.8 million salary. But the NBA has not approved that exception yet, though Nash is also expected to miss the entire 2014-15 season.
It is unclear if the Lakers will use their current disabled players exceptions. They have a league-maximum 15 players on their roster, including 13 with fully guaranteed contracts. Guards Ronnie Price and Wayne Ellington have partial guarantees, meaning either or both players would have to be waived to make room.
