Bucks apply for disabled player exception as result of Taurean Prince injury

The Bucks have applied for a disabled player exception following Taurean Prince’s neck surgery, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

Prince underwent surgery last month to address a herniated disk and is officially out indefinitely. Nehm reports that Milwaukee believes Prince is likely to miss the remainder of the season, which prompted the team to file for the exception. The request has not yet been approved by the league.

A disabled player exception does not create an additional roster spot, but it does provide limited financial flexibility. Teams can use it to acquire a player on an expiring contract via trade or waivers, or to sign a free agent to a one-year deal.

The value of the exception is set at either half of the injured player’s salary or the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, whichever is smaller. In Prince’s case, his $3.3 million cap hit would make the exception worth approximately $1.65 million if granted.

While the amount is modest, there is little downside for Milwaukee in applying. If Prince is indeed sidelined for the season, the exception would give the Bucks another tool to explore roster options as they evaluate potential moves.