Filler instinct
Nets to file for exception to replace Lin
The Nets will file for a Disabled Player Exception on Jeremy Lin by Monday’s application deadline, a source told The Post.
The move will give the team an extra $6 million in cap room to use to help replace Lin. The point guard suffered a torn patella tendon in the season opener and has since undergone seasonending knee surgery.
Should the league grant the exception — which usually takes a week or so to approve — the Nets would have until March 10 to use it. But they could certainly use it at the Feb. 8 trading deadline, or before — or not at all.
There are a host of restrictions involved with the exception.
The Nets have to have an open roster spot to use it, which currently they don’t. But even if they opted to create one, the exception can be used to sign, trade for or put in a waiver claim on a player. But it can’t be split and used on multiple players, and can’t be used to pay part of a player’s contract or packaged with another exception in a deal.
The biggest caveat is whichever player is acquired has to be a pending free agent. Any player dealt for has to be on an expiring con- tract, and any player signed has to ink a one-year deal. With all the aforementioned restrictions, one could see the Nets jumping into a trade to help facilitate a threeteam deal, taking on somebody else’s expiring contract in order to land a draft pick.
Lin — who turns 30 in the offseason — isn’t expected to start running and jumping until April, a source told The Post. He’s been scarce around Barclays Center, doing his rehab largely in Vancouver with personal trainer Rick Celebrini.
The Nets are 16-27 going into Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee against the rival Knicks (19-24) at Barclays Center.
Starting center Tyler Zeller is probable Monday after missing Saturday’s overtime loss to the Wizards with a sore left hip. But D’Angelo Russell (left knee surgery) is still out despite a report that he could make his return versus the Knicks.
Jarrett Allen had a careerhigh tying 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting Saturday, adding eight rebounds in 28:51.
“He’s going to be a heck of a player for us. I thought he was great,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It’s a physical team, had some great verticalities at the rim. He’s not shooting those floaters anymore; he’s going in and trying to dunk on people. I just like his spirit.”
After struggling at the freethrow line and shooting just 68.8 percent in October and November, he’s hit 81.1 percent since, including going 4-for-4 in overtime on Saturday.
“He’s showing he can play on a big stage. He’s blossoming defensively, he’s finishing off plays.” Spencer Dinwiddie said. “And those free throws he was hitting in overtime were very big-time. For him to come in with the crowd roaring and everything to hit shots, we’re really proud of him, and we hope he continues to take those next steps.”