Photo: Utah Jazz/X

The NBA has officially granted the Utah Jazz a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) in light of forward Taylor Hendricks’ unfortunate injury, which is expected to keep him off the court for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The exception is worth $2,924,340, calculated as half of Hendricks’ annual salary for this season. This special exception provides the Jazz with a mechanism to partially offset the loss of a key player by allowing them to bring in another player within specific parameters.

The injury occurred on October 28 during a game in which Hendricks, while trying to stop his momentum, slipped and suffered significant damage to his right leg.

He fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle, a devastating combination of injuries that will require a lengthy recovery process.

As a second-year player, Hendricks was expected to play a crucial role for the Jazz this season, but his absence will now force the team to explore alternatives to fill the void.

By approving the DPE, the NBA has determined that Hendricks is more likely than not to miss the remainder of the season. This decision allows the Jazz some flexibility to make adjustments to their roster.

The team can utilize the $2,924,340 exception amount to sign a player, acquire one via trade, or claim one-off waivers.

However, there are specific restrictions tied to the use of this exception. Any player acquired through trade or waivers must be on an expiring contract with no team or player options attached.

If the Jazz opt to sign a free agent, they are limited to offering a rest-of-season contract that cannot extend beyond the current campaign.

The DPE must be used by March 10, providing the Jazz with a relatively short window to find a suitable replacement who can contribute immediately.

While this exception cannot fully compensate for the loss of Hendricks, it offers the team an opportunity to bolster their roster and remain competitive in a demanding NBA season.