With Jon Leuer sidelined indefinitely, the Pistons have applied for a disabled player exception, Rod Beard of The Detroit News writes. Leuer was once regarded as a key rotation piece in Detroit’s frontcourt, but has been limited to just nine games of action this season.
The deadline for the DPE application was January 15 and the Pistons made their case for salary-cap relief, with the 28-year-old now considering season-ending surgery.
Should the application be approved, the Pistons would be granted an exception worth about $5.25MM. That said, the provision wouldn’t grant the team an additional roster spot. Since the Pistons currently roster 15 players, they would have to cut or trade someone if they intend to use a DPE.
As we outline in our glossary entry, a disabled player exception allows a team to sign a player to a one-year deal or trade for a player in the final year of his contract. If the Pistons receive a DPE and don’t use it by March 12, it will expire.