Lakers granted disabled player exception for Julius Randle

Lakers gather around rookie forward Julius Randle after he broke his leg in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ season-opening loss to the Houston Rockets on Oct. 28 at Staples Center. (John McCoy/Staff Photographer)

The Lakers on Monday were granted a disabled players exception for rookie Julius Randle worth $1.5 million.

The Lakers can use the exception either to sign a free agent or claim a player off waivers for up to $1.5 million, which represents half of Randle’s $3 million salary. The Lakers could also trade for a player that makes up to $1.6 million. Whichever move the Lakers might make, that player could not stay beyond the 2014-15 season. The Lakers filed for the exception shortly after Randle fractured his right tibia in the Lakers season-opening loss two weeks ago against Houston. Although the Lakers expected Randle would miss the season after having surgery the next day, the NBA needed to look at the paperwork surrounding Randle’s surgery.

The Lakers have also filed a disabled player exception for Steve Nash worth $4.9 million, which represents half of his $9.8 million salary. But the NBA has not approved that exception yet, though Nash is also expected to miss the entire 2014-15 season.

The Lakers were granted a $1.8 million disabled player exception for Jordan Hill two years ago after he had surgery on his right hip. But the Lakers did not use the exception.

It is unclear if the Lakers will use their current disabled players exceptions. They have a league-maximum 15 players on their roster, including 13 with fully guaranteed contracts. Guards Ronnie Price and Wayne Ellington have partial guarantees, meaning either or both players would have to be waived to make room.

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Lakers granted disabled player exception for Julius Randle