Utah Jazz: How the Jazz Can Use the Mehmet Okur Trade Exception

The biggest question mark surrounding the Utah Jazz after trading away Mehmet Okur to the New Jersey Nets is what will the team do next?

The Jazz now have approximately $10.8 million burning a hole in their pocket and have several options of how to use it. 

This money comes in the form of a trade exception that Jazz management will have available for use until December 22, 2012.

While this trade was not one that fans may have liked in losing Okur, it was one that many saw coming at some point in the season.

After choosing not to use the amnesty clause to free up salary space, it was inevitable that the Jazz would make some type of move to get back under the salary cap, and Okur's big salary was the logical choice.

Losing Okur and sending him away as quickly as the Jazz did was less than ideal, but this was a business move that had to be made. 

So what can Jazz fans expect to see done with this trade exception?

Here are just a few of the options the team has. 

Do nothing

It would not be surprising if the Jazz did nothing more with this trade exception and were content to be under the salary cap. 

With the increase that teams are going to have to pay for being over the cap, it is a good idea that a small market team like the Jazz stay under the cap and let the teams that are over deal with dumping salaries and paying the tax.

This will not be the popular option among fans, but is a good business move for a team that is trying to build through developing young players. 

Acquire a player now

Another thing the Jazz can do with this trade exception is to start scouring the rosters of opposing teams to see which players that other general managers would be willing to part ways with.

Although it would be good to help fans feel like they are getting something in return for Okur, it is not likely that the Jazz look to use the exception to add a player at this point.

The roster now has 13 players who all need playing time, and several young players who could develop into a bigger role this season. 

Additionally, teams who would want to dump a players salary to get under the salary cap do not need do so until later in the season. The luxury tax is calculated on a teams payroll at the end of the season. 

Teams will not want to trade players for salary cap reasons until the trade deadline. 

Wait until the trade deadline

If Jazz general manager Kevin O'Conner is going to use the trade exception, he may have to wait until the trade deadline.

Teams like the Spurs, 76ers, Lakers, Celtics, Heat and Hawks may be looking to get rid of salary at the March 12 deadline to avoid paying the luxury tax.

The likelihood of the Jazz picking up a big named player is low, but they might be able to get a good role player that other teams do not want to pay.

Draft day trade

If the Jazz are looking to add a big name player to the roster, this is the most realistic option that they have if they end up in the lottery.

Depending on where the Jazz fall in the draft, they may be able to package a high pick with the trade exception and trade for a really good player. 

Even though the upcoming draft is stronger than last year, the Jazz will need to again get lucky in the lottery to have other teams show any real interest. 

It would also require that there are some other desperate teams who are willing to part with a good player.

To use this option, the Jazz must wait and see how well the team does this year. The better the team does this season, the less of a chance there is that this can happen. 

There are other, more complex options that the team has with this trade exception and they may get creative to build the team. 

However the team decides to use this trade exception, the trade to acquire it was a good move that left them with many options.