Trail Blazers Apply for Disabled Player Exception to Replace Rodney Hood

The Portland Trail Blazers have applied for a disabled player exception after losing Rodney Hood to a season-ending Achilles tear. If granted, the exception will be worth $2.85 million. The news comes via ShamsCharania of The Athletic.

A disabled player exception indicates that the team believes the injured player will not be able to take the floor again until at least June 15th of the following year. The application is vetted by the NBA before the request is granted.

The exception has specific uses. From Larry Coon’s CBAFAQ:

If this exception is granted, the team can acquire one player via free agent signing, trade or waiver claim, to replace the disabled player:

The team may sign a free agent for one season only, for 50% of the disabled player’s salary or the amount of the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, whichever is less.

The team may trade for a player in the last season of his contract only (including any option years), who is making no more than 50% plus $100,000 of the disabled player’s salary, or the amount of the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception plus $100,000, whichever is less.

The team may claim a player on waivers who is in the last season of his contract only (including any option years), who is making no more than 50% of the disabled player’s salary, or the amount of the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, whichever is less.

Summarizing:

• The Blazers do not expect Hood to return this season.
• If their exception application is granted, they can sign or trade for a player making $2.85 million or less to replace Hood, or watch the waiver wire if someone is cut.
• That player’s contract may not run beyond the end of this season.