Archives

Thursday, January 15, 2026
HomeDallas MavericksSources: Dallas Mavericks Granted Disabled Player Exceptions For Dereck Lively II, Danté Exum
Dallas MavericksNBA

Sources: Dallas Mavericks Granted Disabled Player Exceptions For Dereck Lively II, Danté Exum

Grant AfsethGrant Afseth
Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks, NBA
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

As the season has unfolded, injuries have steadily reshaped the Dallas Mavericks rotation, forcing the organization to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term health. Two of the most significant absences — center Dereck Lively II and guard Danté Exum — have now been formally addressed through the league’s roster mechanisms.

League sources confirmed to DallasHoopsJournal.com that the NBA has approved Disabled Player Exceptions (DPEs) for both Lively and Exum, giving Dallas a limited but defined avenue to pursue short-term roster help under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

What The Disabled Player Exception Allows

The Disabled Player Exception permits a team to replace a player who suffers a season-ending injury or illness with one player making up to the lesser of 50% of the injured player’s salary or the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception for that season.

Approval requires an NBA-appointed physician to determine that it is substantially more likely than not that the player will be unable to play through June 15. Any contract signed using a DPE must be for one season, or, if used in a trade or waiver claim, the acquired player must be in the final year of his contract. Once granted, the exception expires on March 10.

With approval finalized, Exum’s DPE is valued at $1.1 million, while Lively’s DPE is worth $2.6 million.

Dallas would have until March 10 to use either DPE on a rest-of-season signing or via a trade or waiver claim for a player on an expiring contract. The exception provides a signing mechanism only and does not create an additional roster spot, meaning a corresponding roster move would be required.

Because of the second-apron hard cap, Dallas only became able to use the DPEs to add salary once its cap position created enough room below the apron on January 6.

Background on Injuries to Dereck Lively II, Danté Exum

Lively’s situation provided the clearest path to DPE approval. The Mavericks announced on Dec. 21 that the 21-year-old center underwent successful surgery on his right foot at the Fortius Clinic in London, performed by Dr. James Calder. The team said Lively would miss the remainder of the season and is expected to be available for the start of the 2026–27 season.

Before the injury, Lively averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 36 games this season (2025–26), anchoring much of Dallas’ interior defense and rebounding.

Exum’s path to a DPE followed a longer recovery timeline. Dallas announced on Dec. 12 that Exum underwent successful surgery on his right knee, performed by Dr. Andy Williams at the Fortius Clinic in London. Although the procedure occurred before the season, Exum’s rehabilitation did not progress to the point where he could return to competition.

He did not appear in a game this season after averaging 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20 games during the 2024–25 season.

Rotation Implications Moving Forward

Dallas has already adjusted internally while awaiting clarity on the exceptions. Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford have started together in the frontcourt, with Dwight Powell and two-way center Moussa Cissé available to step into reserve roles. The team has also leaned into small-ball lineups with P.J. Washington at center when matchups call for added mobility.

In the backcourt, two-way guards Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams have taken on expanded roles as Kyrie Irving continues his ACL recovery. D’Angelo Russell has fallen out of the rotation, and Dallas has increasingly opened games without a traditional point guard, instead starting multiple wings next to double-big lineups.

Whether the Mavericks ultimately use one or both Disabled Player Exceptions remains an open question, but their approval provides Dallas with a defined window to evaluate depth needs while continuing to prioritize long-term health.

Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Trade Rumors

Tags :Dallas MavericksDanté ExumDereck Lively IIDisabled Player ExceptionNBANBA CBANBA InjuriesNBA News
Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth

Senior Writer
Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.
view all posts

You Might Also Like