Even the Cavaliers aren't sure right now who they can target with their trade exception.
Q: Hey, Brian: Who are some of the players the Cavs can realistically target with their trade exception? -- Lee Thompson, Williard
A: Hey, Lee: The answer is, I don't know and neither does the team right now. The Cavs have until next July to use the $14.5 million and their plan is to be patient and see what develops. You just never know which players will become available as events take place during the season. Most teams looking to dump a player for an exception are when they are in distress and teams aren't in distress right now.
Fans should remain grounded, however. Do not expect the Cavs to be able to just trade for a star player with it. They can break it into pieces and, frankly, that is what is most likely. They may use it to absorb mid-level players in salary-cap clearing trades to pick up extra draft picks or prospects from teams looking to dump money.
Also, there are a handful of teams out there with large trade exceptions created over this wild summer. There's more money in trade exceptions out there right now than there's been in a decade so it doesn't have as much value. But it is a valuable asset that can be used many different ways.
Q: Hey, Brian: You wrote that the Cavs $14.5 million trade exception could be used for a player making up to $18.2 million. Is that right? I didn't think trade exceptions had the same rules as standard player trades. -- James Richards, Folsom, Calif.
A: Hey, James: What are you a salary-cap expert or something? You're right and I was wrong about that one. After review of the fine print, the trade exception does not apply to the standard 25 percent trade rule. So they most they could trade for is a total of $14.5 million in matching salaries.
Q: Hey, Brian: With Danny Ferry going back to San Antonio's front office, is there a chance the Cavs may look to make some trades with the Spurs for some Cavs players Ferry make want to bring in? -- Frank Wolacek, Peoria, Ill.
A: Hey, Frank: With Ferry's relationship with Spurs GM R.C. Buford and Mike Brown's relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, there has long been very few secrets between the teams. Yet, they have not done business in the last five years so I wouldn't assume it would happen. But obviously there's a value in familiarity, so it is possible.
Q: Hey, Brian: Do the Cavs have an alternate blue uniform this season, or do they just have the white home and wine away ones they unveiled recently? -- Lauren, Cleveland
A: Hey, Lauren: No they won't. There are plenty of obscure uniform rules within the NBA and one of them is you can't have an alternate uniform for two years after you unveil a new uniform design. So there will be no alternate blue this season. However, the Cavs can still have special-edition uniforms and they'll wear those several times. Like I said, the rules are obscure.
-- Brian