The Miami Heat have been granted an injury exception for Justise Winslow. The forward will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
The #Heat has been given an injury exception for Justise Winslow. Team has until March 10 to utilize it
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) January 18, 2017
The injury exception effectively gives the Heat some extra cap space to sign an additional player. However, Miami would still need to clear a roster spot which does not seem likely at this point:
Heat has Winslow $1.3 M exception in back pocket but Spoelstra says nothing imminent. Would need to clear roster spot to add player
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 19, 2017
The injury exception is not of much use to Miami. They are not likely to contend for a playoff spot. Instead, they may be better suited for a tanking job to ensure a high pick and get on their way to Pat Riley’s quick rebuild.
Where the exception could help is in signing a young prospect from the D-League. Considering the career path of Hassan Whiteside, the Heat should have an understanding of the potential of giving young players a chance in the NBA.
Regardless, this would require the Heat to like a prospect more than anyone they have on their current roster or to make some trades. The injury exception for Justise Winslow gives them the flexibility for such a thing but it does not seem like a likely course of action.
