Report: Heat granted $5.5M disabled player exception for Waiters' injury

The Miami Heat will have a little financial wiggle room.

Miami has reportedly received a $5.5-million disabled player exception (DPE) from the league stemming from Dion Waiters' season-ending ankle surgery earlier this month, sources told Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania.

The exception allows the Heat, who are above the salary cap, to add one free agent on a limited deal for the rest of the campaign, though they can also use the DPE to acquire a player via trade in the absolute final year of his contract (no options) and making up to $100,000 more than the amount granted. The $5.5-million figure comes from taking Waiters' $11-million salary for this season and cutting it in half.

Waiters had been dealing with ankle issues all season before electing to undergo surgery. He last played for the Heat on Dec. 22 against the Dallas Mavericks.