Though the report states that the Nets have until March 10th to use the exception, the exception expires on March 15th. If they want to use it to make a trade, they have until the regular trade deadline of February 20th.
The exception allows the Nets to either sign a player for up to $5.15 million, or trade for a player’s contract worth up to $5.25 million if that player is in the last year of his contract.
It does not create a roster spot, and since the Nets currently have a full roster, they would either have to waive a player or perform a 2-for-1 trade to open a roster spot. The Nets would still be on the hook for any player’s salary they waive. Sending players down to the D-League does not open a spot.
The Nets would also have to pay any added luxury tax penalties for using the exception. If they use the full $5.25 million, that could mean a bill for close to $30 million. The NBA will gladly take the money, but since the tax is meant to curtail spending, taxing a team for using an exception meant to replace a season-ending injury seems unnecessary.
With the Nets already at a full roster, deep in the luxury tax, paying as much as $5 million with tax included for their minimum-salary players (who they’d likely need to waive), orchestrating a move for a player rental seems unlikely. But the exception was requested and granted, meaning Billy King has another tool in his kit.
Yahoo! Sports: Nets get $5.25 million exception for Brook Lopez
