At first, it seemed like all signs pointed to Iman Shumpert returning to the Brooklyn Nets after he was waived by the team just over a week ago.
This appeared possible because David Nwaba went down with an Achilles injury in Thursday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Multiple reports then indicated the wing tore his Achilles, which means he will need to receive season-ending surgery.
With Nwaba down, along with Caris LeVert (right thumb surgery), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder impingement) and Kevin Durant (right Achilles), the Nets could apply for a hardship exception just before the new year. This would give them a 16th spot on the roster again, though someone would need to be waived once Irving or LeVert returned.
The Nets also have the option of applying for a disabled player exception. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Nets did so on Friday.
But the Nets cannot sign Shumpert on the disabled player exception, as ESPN’s Bobby Marks explains:
The David Nwaba Disabled Player Exception would only be worth $839,427 which is below the prorated minimum for a player. Ex: If the Nets have an open roster spot (they do not) and sign a player like Iman Shumpert, he would be signed for the minimum, not the DPE.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 20, 2019
This may mean Shumpert is out of the question, or the Nets will have to do some serious maneuvering to get him back.
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