The Dallas Mavericks are looking to gain roster flexibility with two Disabled Player Exceptions.
What a year it was for the Dallas Mavericks in 2025.
The year, of course, included points of drastic significance in the team's recent and future history - from the trade of Luka Doncic to the lottery winning of Cooper Flagg. Then there was a play-in tournament win, and so far, a disappointing start to the next season.
Above all, this year has been defined by injuries.
Anthony Davis has missed practically two-thirds of the Mavs' games since he came over from Los Angeles in the Doncic trade. Kyrie Irving hasn't been active since March when he tore his ACL. And a number of players saw the end of last season or the beginning of this one get plagued by unavailability.
Two players have seen their 2025-26 season already come to an end officially, but Dallas is hoping to receive better luck in those areas as we turn the calendars to the new year.
Following Dereck Lively II (foot) and Dante Exum's (knee) season-ending surgeries, the Mavericks have formally applied for two Disabled Player Exceptions from the league office, which if granted, will give the Mavs more roster and cap space flexibility for the rest of the season.
That could be a crucial factor to consider with the trade deadline just over a month away.
If both are accepted, Lively's absence will generate about $2.6 million and Exum's would bring in $1.1 million to the Mavs' cap space for this season.
According to Spotrac reporter Keith Smith, Dallas has until March 10 to use either DPE resources on a rest-of-season signing (or trade/waiver acquisition for a player on an expiring contract).
The DPE, however, is a signing exception and not a roster exception, meaning the Mavs will need to free up a spot on its active roster in order to sign someone they hope can contribute on the floor. Dallas is currently at the max of 15 players on the team.
None of this is to be done until Jan. 6 when the Mavs are open to sign someone in compliance with their second-apron hard cap guidelines.
One move that many expect is the restructure of two-way point guard Ryan Nembhard's undrafted contract, which currently sees him due to split time with the Mavericks and G-League affiliate Texas Legends.
Since Nembhard's adoption into the Mavs' starting lineup 15 games ago, Dallas' offensive efficiency has risen out of the league basement and led to more wins.
These exceptions should allow the Mavs to add depth to a lineup that continues to be plagued by injuries, with Davis now joining Irving & Co. on the sidelines for the last two games with a sore adductor muscle strained on Christmas Day.
While the Mavs now wait to see if these applications are granted, the team will return to the floor on New Year's Day at home against the Philadelphia 76ers, hoping 2026 brings more of the same luck that landed Flagg and not what landed players on the injury report.