Lakers News: Should Lakers Bother With Steve Nash Injury DPE?
The Los Angeles Lakers could petition for a disabled player exception for Steve Nash…but should they bother?
After successfully petitioning for a disabled player exception (DPE) for Julius Randle, the Los Angeles Lakers are in position to apply for a DPE for Steve Nash, but at this point — in what appears to be a lost season — should they even bother?
According to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, the Lakers already have Randle’s exception (worth $1.5 million) and would be able to acquire a $4.85 million exception for Nash. That $6.35 million could then be used to acquire a player (or other assets) at or near the trade deadline. Although the Lakers have 15 guaranteed contract spots and would have to move players off the roster, this decision is a no-brainer.
Absolutely the Lakers should make use of this exception. They’re not getting Randle or Nash back, so they don’t have to worry about that facet. By getting those exceptions, the Lakers give themselves some flexibility and can become players around the trade deadline. While they aren’t going to be actively searching out players who can help today, they’ll absolutely be one of those key third teams who can help facilitate trades between other squads.
Those teams can often find themselves in a position to acquire assets on the cheap. Imagine a scenario where two teams are trying to work out a major trade, but one of the teams needs to dump $6 million in salary. If that’s an expiring contract, the Lakers could step in and take on that contract (along with some draft picks) — all without hurting their cap number for the future.
Or, there’s also the potential to take on a high-upside guy on a relatively cheap contract. As long as the Lakers don’t do something foolish, like taking on an aging player on a bad contract, there’s really no downside to applying for the exception.