Nets can use salary-cap exceptions to build a championship roster

NEW YORK — It’s time to use the exceptions, and for the Nets, there are many.

The Nets have no cap space to sign free agents, but they must improve an imperfect roster enough to compete for a championship.

Fortunately, Nets GM Sean Marks has a number of salary-cap exceptions he can use to build the roster, and he said in Wednesday’s news conference that he expects team governor Joe Tsai will greenlight the use of the extra funds.

“The objective here is to win. (Tsai has) made it very clear. That’s what we want to do,” Marks said on Wednesday. “And he has never said no, and if the decision is the right one, and we think going forward it doesn’t hamstring us longterm, I have no problem going to Joe and saying this is the decision we do, whether it’s trading a player, signing a player, or using an exception such as you pointed out.”

It’s going to be costly given they are repeat tax offenders, but the Nets have several mechanisms at their disposal to add players to their roster other than minimum contracts. Here are some ideas for each of them as the Nets enter the most pivotal offseason in franchise history.

TRADE FOR JOSH RICHARDSON

The Nets created an $11.3 million trade exception as part of the James Harden deal. The easiest way to explain a trade exception is comparing it to store credit: The Nets can use that exception to acquire a player

Eric Gay / Associated Press If the Nets could make a trade for Spurs guard Josh Richardson, they’d gain wing depth and a 40% 3-point shooter.