The Memphis Grizzlies have endured quite a number of hardships throughout the 2023-24 campaign thus far, many of which are concerning health-related issues.
And while their lowly record of 16-27 can be viewed as a direct impact of said hardships, not all results have proven negative and detrimental.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Grizzlies were officially granted a lofty $12.4 million disabled player exception by the NBA following the season-ending shoulder surgery of superstar centerpiece, Ja Morant.
The NBA has granted the Memphis Grizzlies a $12.4M Disabled Player Exception for the season-ending injury to Ja Morant, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2024
Grizzlies granted second DPE of season, holding a value of $12.4 million
As per the league's guidelines, though not an additional roster spot, the exception provides a receiving team with extra spending power that can be used to sign a player in free agency, to claim a player off of waivers, or, perhaps most exciting, to add a player to the roster via trade.
With this league decision now official, the Grizzlies currently find themselves in possession of two total DPEs, with the first coming as a result of Steven Adams' season-ending knee surgery back in October and holds a worth of up to $6.3 million.
Although Memphis appears to be playing more for developmental and, in a way, higher draft-pick purposes, rumors have continued to float around suggesting that they are still open to being active during this year's trade season, and could even serve as buyers when it comes to the idea of pursuing select few potentially available players across the association.
With these exceptions, it now makes the possibility of them striking on a deal that much more plausible.
Whether they decide to make the most of these luxuries ahead of February 8's deadline or not, ultimately, Memphis will have until March 11 to utilize the exceptions.