Sixers.com reports that the NBA has granted Philadelphia's request for a Disabled Player Exception to replace Matt Geiger. The Sixers waived Geiger on Nov. 21, 2001, and he subsequently announced his retirement from the game of basketball. The injury exception is worth $4,071,080. The Sixers have the injury exception until Dec. 24, 2001.

Reports have suggested that the Sixers may seek to use the Exception on a scoring forward rather than a backup big man.

The Exception will allow Philadelphia to trade for or sign a single player. Signing a player with the Exception seems unlikely when you consider that just about every free agent could be had with the veteran's minimum.

The Sixers cannot physically trade the Exception, they can only use it as a means to replace Geiger and it can only be used to acquire a player whose salary is equal to or less than the exception. Some names being mentioned by the press: Rodney Rogers, Othella Harrington, Raef LaFrentz, Dean Garrett and Grant Long.

The Sixers will likely find themselves stuck in Luxury Tax territory if they use the Exception.