2025-26 NBA Disabled Player Exceptions Available
2025-26-nba-disabled-player-exceptions-available
The NBA has approved four disabled player exceptions (DPEs) for the 2025-26 season, giving the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder limited flexibility to replace players facing year-long injuries.
Key guidelines
A DPE may be requested when a player is ruled out for the season. The exception lets a club:
- Sign one player to a one-year deal,
- Trade for a player in the final year of his contract, or
- Claim a player on waivers in the final contract year.
The maximum value equals the lesser of half the injured player’s salary or the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Teams must apply by January 15 and use the exception by March 10.
Current exceptions
Houston Rockets — $12,500,000 (Fred VanVleet)
VanVleet tore the ACL in his right knee during a September mini-camp and underwent surgery soon after. Houston received a $12.5 million exception, but the club sits roughly $1.26 million below the first-apron hard cap, limiting immediate use.
Indiana Pacers — $14,104,000 (Tyrese Haliburton)
Haliburton ruptured his right Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Because the injury will sideline him for the entire 2025-26 campaign, Indiana was granted an exception equal to the non-taxpayer mid-level amount. The Pacers remain about $4.7 million under the luxury-tax line.
Los Angeles Clippers — $2,677,000 (Bradley Beal)
Beal was lost for the season with a hip injury, leading to a $2.677 million exception—half of his $5.35 million salary. The Clippers are approximately $1.28 million below the first-apron hard cap and cannot add salary until space opens later in the year.
Oklahoma City Thunder — $2,327,520 (Thomas Sorber)
Rookie center Sorber suffered an ACL tear during an offseason workout in early September. Oklahoma City’s exception is worth $2.327 million. The Thunder are about $1 million under the luxury-tax threshold and may use the DPE only for a near-minimum contract.
Additional DPEs could be approved before the January 15 application deadline. This list will be updated if new exceptions are awarded or existing ones are used.
Source: Hoops Rumors
