Trouble is brewing in the Bay Area! Well, the Warriors have started the year red-hot with ten wins in thirteen games. But their momentum could now come to a crashing halt. De’Anthony Melton has to undergo a season-ending surgery to repair his sprained ACL. Although he had suited up for them only six times, the veteran guard had become integral to Steve Kerr’s rotation. As the Warriors deal with the devastating news, a $6.4 million relief could rescue them from this situation. How? With the league’s Disabled Player Exception.

Yes, this unique exception allows a team to replace an injured player with a new signing. But it’s not that simple. The injured player should be “substantially more likely than not” sidelined through June 15. The league’s Fitness to Play panel or an NBA-designated physician will decide on the eligibility after a team applies to avail the exception. Moreover, teams cannot apply after January 15.

Once these conditions are met and the league grants approval, the team can add a player via a free agent signing, waiver claim, or trade. The budget to do so is half of the injured player’s salary, which in Melton’s case will amount to $6.4 million. Well, there is also the condition of not exceeding the non-taxpayers mid-level exception, but that is not a problem in Melton’s case.

Therefore, the Warriors can sign a free agent for half of Melton’s salary. But that could prove difficult since they are under the first apron by only $534K. Moreover, they cannot cross that threshold. So, the next best option for them is a trade.

As per DPE, a team can add a player via trade for the availed salary amount plus an additional $100K. However, the trade can only be made for a player who is in the final year of his contract, including any option years. Obviously, this limits the options. Moreover, the move must be made on or before March 10, following which the DPE will be nullified. If the injured player undergoes a trade, the team must forfeit the DPE amount as well. So this brings us to the big question.

Who can the Warriors pursue to make up for De’Anthony Melton’s absence?

Well, Melton’s absence leaves a massive void in the team because he was proving to be a solid two-way player. Apart from averaging over ten points on highly efficient three-point shooting, he was also a menace in defense, with 1.2 steals per game. Obviously, replacing him will be a tall task even with the DPE. But the Warriors have a few potential options.

Markelle Fultz is one name that comes to mind. After spending five years in Orlando, he is currently a free agent and seeking a new contract. Moreover, the Warriors might not have to pay a very hefty price to acquire him. Sure, he did not live up to the hype of a number-one pick, but Fultz turned into a solid role player in Orlando, averaging over eleven points in five seasons. And that is at par to replace Melton’s production. Other names that the Warriors can maneuver around for a trade are big men Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Valanciunas, who were both in trade rumors this summer. Who do you think the Warriors should pursue amid the DPE relief?