As the Utah Jazz have embarked on their rebuild, they have also accumulated a substantial number of assets. It hasn't been the smoothest ride, but at least they know where they are going. They are rebuilding the right way by finding smart avenues to get assets. One move that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves is the trade exception they got from the John Collins trade.
ESPN's Bobby Marks mentioned it when discussing teams that could utilize their exceptions in their arsenal to improve their future.
"The Hornets, Jazz and Wizards are teams to watch either in a three-team trade or a deal taking back salary. Charlotte and Washington each has its $14.1 million non-tax midlevel exception to use in a trade. Utah has an $18.4 million trade exception," Marks wrote.
Utah doesn't have much use in acquiring win-now veterans, but they could acquire veterans that teams don't want to save money as long as it comes with a solid asset or two for their troubles. Rebuilding teams have done this in the past, as its gotten them golden assets.
The Jazz themselves have been smart about what assets they want. They acquired a fantastic asset from Phoenix at the trade deadline, and they've only looked smarter since they traded Kevin Durant and waived Bradley Beal.
They pulled off that move because they took advantage of Phoenix's desperation, and they can do it again by using the exception they got from the Collins trade. That's not the only way they can do this.
They also plenty of expiring contracts to dangle as well
In addition to Collins' exception, the Jazz have several contracts from multiple veterans on the roster that could facilitate a similar trade. That includes the following players.
-Jusuf Nurkic ($19.4 million)
-Kyle Anderson ($9.2 million)
-Georges Niang ($8.2 million)
-Kevin Love ($4.1 million)
That totals out to almost $41 million. Of those veterans, the one that seems the likeliest to stay would be Niang, but there's no telling where the Jazz will stand with him or the other veterans listed this coming February.
Regardless, Utah has a lot of flexibility on its hands that teams could certainly use to aid their hopes while the Jazz rebuild. Because they are being patient with their rebuild, they should be more than comfortable waiting for another team to become desperate enough to make a trade they may not be the most comfortable with.
As long as the Jazz play it right, utilizing this asset could pay off big time for them.