ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that the Orlando Magic's request for an injury exception on Grant Hill has been denied by the NBA.

The impact of having the request denied was lessened by Monday's news that free-agent forward Juwan Howard has verbally committed to sign a five-year deal in the $30 million range with Orlando. The Magic will add Howard and is a leading contender to sign Washington free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue even without the benefit of a Hill injury exception, which would be valued at roughly $5 million.

"We're surprised and disappointed by the league's decision," Magic chief operating officer John Weisbrod said. "Nonetheless, we must abide by it, and we will not let it deter our efforts to build the best basketball team possible."

Orlando recently made a request to the NBA seeking a medical exemption on Hill that could provide up to $4.8 million relief under the salary cap. The request stirred speculation that the 30-year-old forward's season -- or even career -- could be in jeopardy.

"I expect him to not only be capable of playing, but capable of playing at the level that he's played before,'' Calvin Hill, a former All-Pro in football, said last month.

Grant Hill is recovering from surgery on his left ankle in March -- the fourth operation he's had to correct a stress fracture since he signed a $93 million, seven-year contract with Orlando in August 2000. He initially hurt the foot earlier that year while playing for Detroit.

Foot injuries have limited him to 47 games with the Magic. He played 29 this past season before going on the injured list in January.

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, send Stein a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.