Report: Heat officially apply for disabled player exception, could target Josh Smith

Any hope of Josh McRoberts making a late-season return has likely been extinguished.

With the power forward sidelined with a torn meniscus, the Miami Heat have officially applied to the NBA for a Disabled Player Exception. Should an independent league doctor deem that McRoberts is unlikely to return by season's end, the Heat would be granted the exception.

In the case of McRoberts, the exception is worth $2.65 million, which can be used to sign a player to a one-year contract or trade for a player in the final year of his deal.

While Miami is yet to officially receive the exception, they are hoping to shortly, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. An exception that size would make them a player for Josh Smith, who was waived by the Detroit Pistons on Monday and is expected to clear waivers later this week. The Heat are said to be interested, and the $2.65-million exception is more than most teams - including the Houston Rockets, a supposed favorite thanks in part to their $2.1-million bi-annual exception - can offer.

The Heat would need to clear a roster spot to use the exception.