Celtics Awarded a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) For Gallinari

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/11/what-celtics-being-awarded-disabled-player-exception-for-danilo-gallinari-means-for-trade-free-agency-options.html



What Celtics being awarded disabled player exception for Danilo Gallinari means for trade, free agency options



Updated: Nov. 07, 2022, 10:29 a.m.|Published: Nov. 07, 2022, 10:28 a.m.


By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com


The Celtics got some expected relief for the likely season-ending ACL injury suffered by Danilo Gallinari as the league granted Boston a disabled player exception worth $3.29 million a league source confirmed to MassLive. Shams Charania of Stadium was first to report the DPE.

The 34-year-old Gallinari was expected to be a top reserve for the Celtics during the 2022-23 season after the team signed him to a two-year deal for the taxpayer mid-level exception in the summer. However, Gallinari suffered a torn ACL during the Summer while playing for Italy during the Eurocup which ended his year before the season even began. Boston applied for a DPE shortly after Gallinari’s injury.


The DPE is an exception to the salary cap like any other exception (mid-level, etc.). Teams can apply for it when they believe a player is lost for the season and want some help in spending for potential roster replacements. Boston did so successfully with Gordon Hayward back in 2017.

Any team can apply for the DPE up until January 15th of the NBA calendar year. A player’s medical information is submitted and examined by an independent doctor that is approved by the league.

While the team being granted the DPE is an asset, it’s impact is not expected to be major, at least on the trade market since it’s only worth half of Gallinari’s salary ($3.3 million). That DPE total can be used on a player with an expiring contract via trade) or used on a one-year deal in free agency or claiming a player via waivers (if player is on a one-year deal). The exception must be used by March 10 in order to be used.

The Celtics already have had a pair of larger trade exceptions than $3.3 million. One is worth $5.9 million (Dennis Schroder) and expires at the trade deadline in February. The bigger one is worth $6.9 million (Juancho Hernangomez) and that expires on January 19. For that reason, it’s unlikely they use the Gallinari DPE on the trade front.

Instead, where the DPE may end up being most useful is on the free agent or buyout market after the trade deadline. Boston had used their entire mid-level money on Gallinari but their DPE allows them to offer potential free agent additions more money than the veteran’s minimum. That could help Boston land a name that several other contenders are also in the market for, especially if those teams have limited money to offer.


For now, the Celtics will likely stand pat in all likelihood with their current roster since they will need to open up a spot on the 15-man roster in order to use the DPE. When roster movement picks up around the league later this winter, this will be another tool Brad Stevens can use to improve this group.


Bob


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If they use the DPE they would have to release someone.

The Celtics have all of their future 1st round picks on the books as well as some 2nd round picks.  The 2023 Houston 2nd rounder (likely) is probably close to being a 1st rounder.

There is no reason why Boston should sit on their hands.  They should get another big man.  That looks like the only piece that is missing from the team.  The window to win now should be the ultimate motivational factor in making the team even better.  Last season Brad did some good things but he left us short at least one solid rotation guy.

Rosalie, sorry, but Giannis is not available. If we don't sign another big or bring up Kabengale I will be shocked... but I've been amazed by the team's aversion to bigs since Perk and KG left.

Hey Worcester, will you settle for one of Giannis’ brothers? Ahh on second thought, never mind. :>)

An NBA exec opined that Brad can't trade Gallo.  Technically, sure, he can trade him but Gallo took less money to come to the Celtics and if they trade him now that he's injured it'll hurt our rep around the league with the players.

And we have two NBAPA Vice-Presidents on our roster, Jaylen and Grant.  They might not have a legal beef they can bring forward but it'll be hard for them to push back against the players' suspicions when it was their teammate that got moved. We got Al Horford, in part, because of IT's popularity among the players. He talked up the Celtics at the All-Star game when he and Al were there and that put a good taste in Al's mouth. This would be the opposite. Jaylen and Grant might have to be willing to use some of their own political and social capital to smooth the waters for Brad. Lotta mixed metaphors here.


Bob


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I do not envision the Celtics trading Gallo.  

His injury was an unfortunate event.  He has a $6.8 million player option for next season.  I cannot think of any reason why any team would make a trade for him unless the Celtics were willing to part with a draft pick and a player.

The Celtics would look like the bad guys if they moved him and he is in Boston rehabbing.

The Celtics have short term and long term needs to add more talent at the 5 spot.  I think that they can address the short term part by adding a veteran center and using the veteran minimum exception to do that.  However, Brad decided to fill that 14th spot on the team and that complicates things  bit.  I stated before that it may have been a good idea to leave a roster spot open.  Had they done that it would have been easy to sign a center to a one year and your done deal.

I would target a center who can provide rebounding and rim protection.  I have zero concern about offense.

In any case the Celtics will need to trade or waive a player to open up a roster spot.