The Indiana Pacers received word Tuesday afternoon that they have been granted the disabled player exception by the NBA, a team spokesman confirmed to VigilantSports.com. The exception, applied for after Paul George’s leg injury suffered during a USA Basketball scrimmage, allows the team to sign another player in his absence.
The Pacers can spend up to $5.3 million on a free agent, or $5.4 million on a player acquired in a trade who is on the last year of his deal. However, they really only have a little more than $1.6 million to offer because they will not go into the luxury tax.
Team president Larry Bird met with free-agent forward Shawn Marion Monday night to gauge his interest in signing with the Pacers.
The Pacers currently have the maximum of 15 players on roster; 13 have fully guaranteed contracts. Bird said Tuesday at a press conference that the team will bring back point guard Donald Sloan, whose contract becomes guaranteed on Friday. Luis Scola’s final year is partially guaranteed. He’ll receive nearly $2 million, with a decision on the other $2.9 million due by Jan. 10. Undrafted free agent Shayne Whittington is the only Pacer on a non-guaranteed deal.
Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star first reported the Pacers had received the exception.
[…] to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports, the Pacers have been granted the disabled players exception by the NBA and can now spend up to $5.3 million on a free or $5.4 on a player through a trade (although as […]