Celtics general manager Danny Ainge will be able to bring in a player to a one-year contract on a £6.4million contract in the last season of his deal.
The Eastern Conference side have until March 10 to make a decision and sign a player to a one-year contract on a £6.4million contract in the last season of his deal.
The DPE is an exception to the salary cap that allows teams to replace a player who has been injured for the remainder of the season.
It was rumoured the Celtics could expect Hayward back as early as March with Brad Stevens hinting he could be back on the court in five months.
But this latest report from The Vertical suggests Hayward could be out for the season.
Hayward dislocated his ankle and broke his tibia in the season-opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers and underwent surgery last week with promising signs ahead of his recovery.
However the disabled-player exception doesn’t mean that the former Utah Jazz small forward is ineligible for the season.
He can still play for the Celtics if healthy even if Ainge brings in a player on a one-year deal.