The Nets are expected to apply for a disabled player exception after losing guard Spencer Dinwiddie for the season, as relayed by John Hollinger of The Athletic.
Dinwiddie underwent ACL surgery on his right knee Monday morning.
Per Hollinger, the exception would be valued at about $5.7 million. The Nets could use it to sign a player for the rest of the season for that amount, or in a trade for a player who’s expiring salary matches that amount.
But the Nets are unlikely to qualify, Hollinger added, as they would have to offer evidence Dinwiddie’s injury will indeed keep him out until next season.
“Even if that ends up being the case, the Nets may have a hard time proving it right now,” Hollinger wrote. “That’s also why it’s possible they could wait a while before applying. With the trade deadline not until March, they may have an easier time proving their case six weeks from now.”
Dinwiddie tore his ACL one week into the season vs. the Hornets.
It’s a big loss, as Dinwiddie is coming off an outstanding year in which he averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists. He was expected to be yet another major threat on a Nets team that also features Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Dinwiddie, 27, is 6-foot-5 and has a $12.3 million player option on his contract for next season. Should he opt out, he will become an unrestricted free agent, and even with the knee injury, is likely to be highly coveted.
