NBA Notes: Pacers, DPE, Heat, Terry Rozier, Clippers, Chris Paul

Pacers

The Pacers have received a $14.1 million NBA disabled player exception (DPE) due to Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles tear, general manager Chad Buchanan confirmed during an appearance on the Setting The Pace podcast.

The DPE gives Indiana added financial flexibility, though not an additional roster spot.

“We’ve applied for that and been granted that exception,” Buchanan said. “Whether we use it or not depends. Using the full exception would put us into the luxury tax, which we’re not opposed to if it’s the right player.”

The exception allows Indiana to acquire a player on an expiring contract worth up to $14.1 million via trade, waivers, or free agency. But it can only be used on a one-year deal and must be used on a single player. The deadline to utilize the DPE is March 10.

While the Pacers haven’t aggressively pursued a new point guard, Buchanan acknowledged that’s the most likely position they’d target. For now, they’ll continue developing young guards like RayJ Dennis, Kam Jones, and Quenton Jackson behind Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell.

Indiana remains roughly $6 million below the luxury tax threshold and still holds its full mid-level exception, which is also worth $14.1 million but can be split among multiple players. That flexibility could be useful during the season or closer to the trade deadline.

Heat

Terry Rozier’s market value appears to be slipping. Per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ira Winderman, the Heat guard’s trade appeal is “practically non-existent,” noting that Miami would likely need to attach an asset to move him.

That’s not ideal, given the Heat already owe a future first-rounder to the Hornets as part of the original Rozier deal.

Unless another team is interested in his expiring contract for cap relief or as part of a larger package, Rozier could be staying put in South Beach.

Clippers

The Clippers won’t have to mediate a jersey number dispute between Chris Paul and Bradley Beal, both of whom have worn No. 3 throughout their careers.

According to team president Lawrence Frank, Beal volunteered to give up the number the moment Paul’s arrival became a possibility.

“Brad said, ‘I want to give him my number,’ and I don’t even think Chris knows this yet,” Frank said on a conference call with reporters. “It’s awesome that Brad made such a great gesture like that. … He knows what that jersey means to Chris.”

Paul wore No. 3 during his All-Star run with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017 and has maintained the number throughout his Hall of Fame-caliber career. Beal has yet to decide what new number he’ll wear.

With both Paul and Beal now in Los Angeles, the Clippers’ backcourt rotation is loaded with experience — and clearly, a healthy amount of mutual respect.

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