The Lakers were recently awarded a disabled player exception for the injured center Jordan Hill (hip), giving the team an additional spending tool.

The exception can be used to sign a player for up to $1,781,800 through the remainder of the season. It can be used to trade for a player in the final year of his contract, making up to $1,881,800.  In either case, the player cannot be under contract as of July 1.

The following is a list of players who make more than the minimum but still fit within the Lakers’ disabled player exception (in the final year of their deals):

Ivan Johnson, Atlanta Hawks – $962,195 Dominique Jones, Dallas Mavericks – $1,276,560 Jeff Pendergraph, Indiana Pacers – $1,500,000 Sebastian Telfair, Phoenix Suns – $1,567,500 Nolan Smith, Portland Trail Blazers – $1,365,720 DeJuan Blair, San Antonio Spurs – $1,054,000 Martell Webster, Washington Wizards – $1,750,000

Exceptions cannot be combined, so while the Lakers did gain a tool to try to replace Jordan Hill, it’s not a particularly powerful one unless one of seven players above are available and desired by the Lakers.

via Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times