Dion Waiters finally decided to undergo ankle surgery and miss out the rest of the season. Because of this, the Miami Heat applied for a $5.5 million disabled-player exception from the NBA.
The team’s action made sense especially that the exception is near half of Waiters’ salary for the 2017-18 season. However, the exception would only be approved if Waiters won’t play until June 15.
It’s expected that Waiters’ recovery time will be around five months. However, this won’t open up another roster spot for the Heat, knowing that they already have 15 players in the team.
This is the maximum number of player contracts for every NBA team. The exception also needs to be applied on Mar. 12 if ever it pushes through.
This would only be usable on replacement players who are free agents or in their last year of their contracts. But if ever the Heat still decided to open up a roster spot, their only choice is to waive A.J. Hammons.
The 25-year-old center is playing for their affiliate G League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Fortunately, forward Rodney McGruder, who had a leg surgery during the preseason, is expected to return to the court next month.
Waiters averages 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. The Heat are also looking for their 26th win when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center this Wednesday.
They currently have a 25-18 record.
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