Two-ways set
CHICAGO — The Heat have applied to the NBA for the $5.5 million disabled-player exception that became available in the wake the decision by guard Dion Waiters to undergo surgery on his chronically troublesome left ankle.
Monday was the deadline to file for the exception, which is half of Waiters’ 2017-18 salary.
The exception is made available if an independent medical panel determines that Waiters will be sidelined at least through June 15. The part of the process has now been set in motion.
The timetable for Waiters’ recovery runs at least that long, although he would be eligible to return earlier even if the exception is spent.
The exception does not create an additional roster spot, with the Heat already at the maximum of 15 players under standard NBA contracts, in addition to the two allowable two-way contracts with the developmental league.
Such an exception signing would be limited to the balance of the season and would have to be exercised by March 12. The exception could only be used on a replacement player in the final year of a contract, be it on a free agent, in a trade or for a waiver claim.
The exception cannot be aggregated with any other contract or exception, such as the Heat’s remaining share of their mid-level exception.
The most likely way for the Heat to
The Heat have settled Derrick Jones Jr. and Derrick Walton Jr. as their final two-way contracts for the season.
Monday was the deadline for signing players to two-way contracts this season, with several teams making such transactions at or near the deadline.
The Heat instead opted to stay with Jones and Walton, despite both having limited NBA days remaining on their deals, with players on such contracts limited to 45 days in the NBA per season, that tenure prorated should such a player be signed during the season, as was the case with Jones on Dec. 31.
Walton has 12 NBA days left on his two-way deal, Jones 16 after Monday’s game at the United Center against the Chicago Bulls.
Jones remains with the Heat, with Walton currently with the Heat’s developmental-league affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
“We’re probably a great case study for the relevance of the two-way player,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Our guys have developed in Sioux Falls, but have also helped us win games here.
“It’s still a little bit clumsy. hate