NBA Moves: Mavericks, DPEs, Hawks, Malik Williams, Knicks

Mavericks

The Mavericks have received disabled player exceptions for both Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

The DPEs are worth $2,626,680 for Lively and $1,148,137 for Exum, amounts equal to roughly half of each player’s salary. They’re modest, but they do give Dallas some added flexibility later in the season.

The Mavericks applied for the exceptions late last month after both players were ruled out for the year. Lively, 21, has dealt with recurring right foot issues since suffering a fracture last January. He missed time early in the season with a knee sprain before undergoing season-ending foot surgery earlier this month.

After playing a key role in Dallas’ Finals run as a rookie, Lively appeared in just seven games this season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.

Exum, 30, didn’t play at all this season due to complications from an offseason knee procedure and required follow-up surgery earlier this month.

Even with the exceptions, Dallas can’t exceed the second-apron hard cap and currently sits about $1.29 million below it. The Mavericks have until March 10 to use either DPE.

Hawks

The Hawks have waived center Malik Williams, who had been on a two-way contract.

Because the move was made before the league-wide guarantee date, Williams will receive only a prorated portion of his salary. The former Louisville standout spent most of his time with the G League’s College Park Skyhawks and appeared in three games for Atlanta without logging any minutes.

Assuming he clears waivers, Williams is expected to return to College Park, which still holds his G League rights, according to Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Atlanta now has an open two-way slot alongside Caleb Houstan and RayJ Dennis.

Knicks

The Knicks plan to waive forward Tosan Evbuomwan, reports Ian Begley of SNY.

Evbuomwan, an Ivy League Player of the Year at Princeton, is on a two-way deal and will be cut before his salary becomes fully guaranteed. He appeared in five games for New York, all in garbage time.

Though he’ll receive only a prorated portion of his two-way salary, Evbuomwan earned a $265,467 bonus from the Knicks’ NBA Cup win, nearly offsetting the difference.

If unclaimed, he’ll become a free agent Friday, and New York will open a two-way spot alongside Kevin McCullar Jr. and Trey Jemison.