The Golden State Warriors don’t have to use their DPE to sign another free agent – instead, they can absorb a new contract via trade.
Free agency isn’t over just yet. Some valuable names remain on the market and the Golden State Warriors still have some wiggle room to add more talent. However, they have an even more appetizing asset in their $9 million dollar disabled player exception that can be used to trade for another player throughout the season.
The Warriors recently used their $17 million dollar trade exception to acquire Kelly Oubre Jr. from the Phoenix Suns. They can use the DPE in a similar way, taking on an expiring contract at any point throughout the season.
This is beneficial as the Dubs can add a player without necessarily trading anyone in return. They can simply absorb the incoming contract and include a future draft pick as they did in the Oubre trade.
Who will the Dubs be able to target? Which players could find themselves on the trading block this season that fit under that $9 million dollar mark? Let’s look at five potential suitors for the DPE.