A team can claim a player on waivers only if one of the following is true:
The team is far enough under the salary cap to fit the player's entire salary.
The team has a Disabled Player exception for at least the player's salary (see question number 25), and the player is on the last season of his contract.
The team has a trade exception for at least the player's salary (see question number 85).
The player has a minimum salary contract.
If a team makes a successful waiver claim, it acquires the player and his existing contract, and pays the remainder of his salary -- the waiving team is relieved of all responsibility for the player. There is a fee of $1,000, payable to the league office, for claiming a player on waivers. If more than one team tries to claim a player on waivers, the team with the worst record gets him.