Heat granted $5.5M exception for Waiters injury

The NBA has granted the Miami Heat’s request for a disabled player exception in the wake of Dion Waiters’ injury. This type of exception allows a team to trade or sign someone for half of an injured player’s salary — in this case, the exception is worth $5.5 million — if an independent doctor determines that the player will be sidelined at least through June 15.

The catch, though, is that any trade using this exception can only work for a player on an expiring contract. Similarly, if the Heat use the exception to sign a player, it can only be for a contract for the rest of this season.

In terms of any potential players, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman said it may be good to keep an eye out on Joe Johnson. He may become available, either in a trade or after a buyout.

Also, Johnson first joined the Heat after a different season-ending injury — in the 2015-16 season, after Chris Bosh suffered his second instance of blood clots.