The Brooklyn Nets have filed for Disabled Player Exception (DPE) as point guard Jeremy Lin heals from injury.
A source told the New York Post that the team beat last Monday's deadline to file for DPE to give the team $6 million in cap space. This should help the Nets find a replacement for its star player on or before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
It normally takes a week before a DPE is approved by the NBA medical office. If approved, the Brooklyn team can use it until March 10. However, there are a number of restrictions to the exception.
First of all, the Nets should have an open spot in its roster to use the DPE. Currently, they do not have any. They do have the option to create one, but the exception is not valid for roster relief.
The DPE can also be used on just one player. It could not be divided or used on multiple players. It also could not be used to pay just part of the player's contract and packaging it with another deal, like adding another player to the trade.
Brooklyn Nets will also only be able to acquire a free agent player. He has to be on an already expiring contract and should be willing to sign a one-year deal.
Lin ruptured his right patellar tendon after a drive to the rim and an awkward landing during the team's season opener in Indianapolis last October. This ultimately ended his 2017-2018 season before it even began. After the fall, he was caught on camera telling his teammates, "I'm done, I'm done," before rolling over in pain and tears. Three months later, the clip is still very difficult to watch.
Lin has since undergone a knee surgery. He is currently on the road to recovery, spending most of his time in Vancouver with his rehabilitation trainer Rick Celebrini.
