$3.7M Exception Secured! What Mavericks’ Reinforcement Moves?

January 9th News - The Dallas Mavericks have officially been granted two Disabled Player Exceptions (DPEs) by the NBA, corresponding to center Dereck Lively II and guard Dante Exum respectively . league sources revealed that the Atlanta Hawks have identified Anthony Davis as a key potential trade target .

Regarding the injuries: young center Lively has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a severe foot injury, while guard Exum is in the recovery phase of a knee injury . The NBA approved DPE amounts are $2.6 million for Lively and $1.1 million for Exum, with both exceptions equal to 50% of the respective players' annual salaries .

salary cap constraints will limit the Mavericks' subsequent moves. The team currently has less than $1.3 million in cap space below the second apron and has reached the maximum 15 standard contracts. To use the DPEs to sign or trade for players, it must first create a roster spot through waiving a player or making a trade 8. The exceptions will remain valid until March 10th and may be useful for salary matching operations before the February 6th trade deadline .

In another trade development, the Hawks' pursuit of Davis has become a focal point. It is reported that the Hawks hold chips such as expiring contracts of Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard, as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2026 first-round pick, but have firmly designated the 2026 unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans (currently with a 14% chance of being the No.1 overall pick) as untouchable, which has also become a core point of contention in their negotiations with potential trade partners.

#Mavericks Granted Disabled Player Exceptions #-Dereck Lively II Out for Season #- Hawks Pursue Anthony Davis #NBA Trade Deadline Updates