Following the recent injuries of both Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, it is widely expected that the OKC Thunder will now be applying for two separate Disabled Player Exceptions.
Though certainly useful, as it would allow Oklahoma City the ability to add a player via trade, free agency, or off waivers whose salary falls within certain price points, DPEs naturally come with a built-in restriction that prevents the acquisition of someone attached to a multi-year contract.
Needless to say, this constraint certainly limits the market Sam Presti and company would be scouring to snatch up a player with such an exception.
Of course, should they actually be interested in bringing on replacement players for the injured Williams and Wallace, the Thunder already find themselves in possession of three Traded Player Exceptions that, essentially, give them a preexisting workaround to this expiring contract limitation.
Thunder don't need DPEs when they have multiple TPEs in place
With their offseason deals that sent Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe outbound, the Thunder already find themselves strapped with three TPEs at the ready.
In a nutshell, an exception such as this allows OKC the ability to bring on a player from another team via trade without having it count against their cap, so long as their salary fits within the confines of the TPE's allotted value.
This means that Presti could acquire a player with a salary up to $17.7 million through the Dort exception, $11.3 million through the Joe exception, and $9.2 million through the Wiggins exception.
Right now, the valuation of both the Williams and Wallace DPEs is projected to be set at just $15.04 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
With this, not only do the TPEs boast more value due to their lack of restrictions, but they also have higher salary ranges.
Now, granted, the DPE market still could lead the Thunder to a quality talent addition.
Whether it's someone like Derrick Jones Jr., who could contribute a number of qualities both Williams and Wallace do for the team, or Russell Westbrook, someone who would provide veteran leadership and serve as a feel-good morale booster, what with his legendary past with the franchise, there are certainly a number of players OKC could choose from.
However, should the Thunder wish to widen their search for extra firepower following their recent string of injuries, their multiple TPEs innately give them a way to avoid the DPE's restrictions.
Add us as a preferred source on Google