Pacers apply for Disabled Player Exception

After Edmond Sumner went down with an injury that is expected to keep him off the court this season, the exception is a tool for team officials to possibly use.

The Pacers front office made the right call to apply for the DPE. (Photo: PS&E)

The Pacers applied for the NBA’s Disabled Player Exception, a league source told Fieldhouse Files. It was done after guard Edmond Sumner suffered a torn left Achilles and had surgery this week in New York City.

Most of all, it would give the team some flexibility.

Teams may apply for the DPE when a player sustains what it deemed to be a season-ending injury. If granted — and it requires an NBA-designated doctor to review the player’s injury — the Pacers would be able to add a player for 50 percent of Sumner’s $2.3 million salary, about $1.16 million.

And just because they’ll likely receive it, doesn’t mean they’ll use it.

It does not create another roster spot and additional money spent counts against the salary cap. As currently constructed, the Pacers, with two non-guaranteed contracts, are less than $800,000 from the luxury tax line — which is set at $136.6 million.

So, they will not use it without offloading another contract. However, it’s simply smart management to apply since it would be another tool to have.

Vice President of Basketball Operations Ted Wu is the team's salary cap guru. He joined the franchise a year ago after more than eight years working in the league office in salary cap managmenet.

Edmond Sumner @EdmondSumner

As much as I’m disappointed I won’t be able to compete this year. Im so excited to still watch the squad this year and being at games feeling the amazing energy from fans. I know the guys are ready and locked in. Everyone has something to prove 💯.

While Sumner has not been ruled out for the season, the team has said he’s “out indefinitely.” Torn Achilles injuries are painful and, generally, sideline a player for at least nine months. That would be June for Sumner, who will become a free agent one month later.

See Also: T.J. Warren remains out indefinitely, foot not healing 'at the pace previously anticipated'

The Pacers applied for the DPE before the 2014-15 season after Paul George went down with a leg injury during a Team USA scrimmage.

They currently have a full 20-man roster ahead of training camp, which opens on Sept. 28.