Jazz Granted Disabled Player Exception

The Jazz were granted a disabled player exception worth $2.9MM for Taylor Hendricks‘ season-ending injury, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (Twitter link).

Hendricks was lost for the season after suffering a non-contact fractured fibula and dislocated ankle on October 28. He underwent surgery for the injury in early November.

As explained in our glossary, a disabled player exception allows an over-the-cap team some spending power when it loses a player to an injury deemed likely to sideline him through at least June 15 of that season. The exception is worth either half the injured player’s salary or the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, whichever is lesser. Hendricks is set earn $5.8MM this season, so the exception is worth half that.

The exception can be used to sign a free agent, claim a player off waivers or acquire a player in a trade. It can only be used on one player and can only be utilized for a one-year deal. Any player being acquired via trade or waiver claim must have just one year remaining on his contract.

Being granted a disabled player exception does not open up a roster slot for the Jazz, or any other team applying for the exception at any point in the season. Utah, who has a full 15-man roster, would need to open up a roster spot to utilize the exception. Utah has a March 10 deadline to use its disabled player exception.

Hendricks, 20, was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He played in 40 games last season, making 23 starts, averaging 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 37.9% from three. The 6’9″ forward was in prime position to earn more playing time this season as he started each of the team’s first three games and averaged 25.0 minutes before his injury.