The Wizards have officially been granted a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) following the unfortunate news that rookie forward Cam Whitmore will miss the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder. The exception gives Washington a bit of financial flexibility as they continue to navigate a rebuilding season that’s been heavy on development and light on wins.
For those unfamiliar, a DPE is a tool teams can apply for when a player suffers a serious injury expected to keep them out through at least June 15 of the current league year. It doesn’t open up a new roster spot, but it does allow the team to sign, trade for, or claim a replacement player-so long as that player is on an expiring deal and fits within the value of the exception.
In the Wizards’ case, the DPE is worth $1,769,880-half of Whitmore’s $3.5 million cap hit. That’s well below the league’s standard mid-level exception, and realistically, it’s not a number that’s going to swing a major deal.
But in the NBA, flexibility matters. Even a smaller exception like this one can be useful in the right situation, especially as the trade deadline draws near.
That said, there’s a decent chance Washington won’t end up using the exception at all. The team already has access to more substantial exceptions, including the full non-taxpayer mid-level and multiple trade exceptions with more spending power. And with the DPE expiring on March 10, the clock is ticking.
Still, it’s a low-risk move to have that exception in the back pocket. Whether it’s a short-term injury replacement or a late-season flyer on a young player, the DPE gives the Wizards another option to work with. And in a season like this-where development is the priority and the front office is evaluating every possible asset-it makes sense to keep every door open.
Washington isn’t alone in this. They’re now one of at least seven teams to receive a DPE this season, joining the Bulls, Mavericks, Rockets, Pacers, Clippers, and Thunder.
The Bucks also put in a request last month, and the Hawks had a qualifying injury with N’Faly Dante going down earlier in the season. Whether those teams were officially granted the exception hasn’t been confirmed, but that’s not unusual-some DPE approvals fly under the radar.
As for the Wizards, losing Whitmore is a tough blow. The rookie showed flashes of promise and was expected to be part of the team’s long-term core.
Health comes first, of course, and the hope is that he makes a full recovery and returns stronger next season. In the meantime, Washington has another small lever to pull if the right opportunity presents itself.