The NBA has awarded the Wizards a $4.16MM disabled player exception to account for the loss of starting center Thomas Bryant, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Bryant will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn left ACL last month. Charania adds that the disabled player exception expires on April 19.
The disabled player exception can be applied toward adding a player via free agency, on the waiver wire, or in a trade. The Wizards’ new $4.16MM DPE is half of Bryant’s $8,333,333 salary for the 2020/21. Any new player added through the DPE cannot be making more than that $4.16MM amount, plus $100K.
[RELATED: 2020/21 NBA Disabled Player Exceptions]
There are a few more stipulations for the Wizards to take into account. The DPE can only be used on one player, and only for the length of a one-year deal. A free agent can only be added for the single year of the exception. Any player gained through a trade or waivers has to be in the last season of his contract.
Journeyman center Alex Len has already been added to help make up for the positional loss of Bryant, and is currently starting in Bryant’s stead. Backup Robin Lopez is sharing the center minutes burden. The 6-16 Wizards may use the new exception to address one of their other needs across their underperforming roster.
Can they subtract that from Westbrook’s salary?
Westbrook isnt the main issue .. the severe lack of defensive effort by most of the roster most nights is ..
He may not be the main issue for the Wizards, but they are 4-3 without Westbrook in the lineup and 2-13 when he plays.
Could it be ’cause they rest him against the worst teams, so they win without him & he plays against the better… oh, this doesn’t fit your hatred for one of the all-time greats, right?
And let’s see tomorrow night if he can carry this team.
Westbrook for Porter and Valentine?
Reason: Cap Space for wizards
Playoffs run for Lavine
I actually kind of like this idea. Markannen & Carter would have to work for their stats, might win some games in the process. Defense is pretty bad anyway, might as well try to outscore everyone for a couple seasons. Proabably get a playoff berth.
Troy Brown Jr. could use another ice cream season. Bertans, Porter, Beal, Ish, Len might be able to win a few games too.