Pelicans Rumors: NBA Awards $3.625M Exception for Injured Darius Miller

The New Orleans Pelicans received some salary-cap flexibility in the wake of Darius Miller's season-ending Achilles injury.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Pelicans were awarded a $3.625 million disabled player exception. 

Per ESPN's Malika Andrews, Miller ruptured his Achilles last month while playing in a three-on-three game. He underwent surgery and is expected to miss seven to eight months. 

Miller has spent his entire five-year NBA career in New Orleans since being drafted No. 46 overall in 2012. He also had a two-season stint in Germany with Brose Bamberg from 2015 to '17 before returning to the Pelicans in July 2017. 

Per Spotrac, the disabled player exception covers half of Miller's $7.25 million salary in 2019-20. It also allows the Pelicans to sign a free agent, claim a player off waivers or acquire a player in a trade without $3.625 million counting against their cap. 

The Pelicans are entering a new phase in 2019-20 with Zion Williamson replacing Anthony Davis, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, as the face of the franchise. Their roster is filled with a number of promising young players, including Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes. 

Along with JJ Redick, Miller was expected to serve as one of the few proven three-point shooters on the roster. The 29-year-old has shot 38.2 percent from beyond the arc in his career.