Now that the NBA trade deadline has passed, it is a great time to look ahead to the 2024 offseason, as rosters will be significantly more stable between now and then.
There will be shifts based on possible extensions, June trades, the draft lottery and more. But here is how things look team by team as of now, grouped by the most likely amount of projected 2024 spending power. It is important to note, though, that some teams can easily shift their classification between now and July 1:
Cap space: Detroit Pistons ($58 million to $64 million), Orlando Magic ($47 million to $69 million), Philadelphia 76ers ($44 million to $64 million), Utah Jazz ($39 million to $44 million), Toronto Raptors ($23 million to $46 million), Oklahoma City Thunder ($35 million), Charlotte Hornets (up to $35 million, possibly over the cap), San Antonio Spurs ($21 million)
Full nontaxpayer midlevel exception available: Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings
Less than nontaxpayer MLE available: Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans
Luxury tax payers: Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks
Second-apron teams: Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers
That is a lot of money to spend by a credible number of franchises, but think a little bit about how limited things get after them: Only around five teams will be able to sign someone with the projected $12.9 million nontaxpayer MLE, while more than one-third of the league would not be even able to use the projected $5.2 million taxpayer MLE to add new talent.
It will be a fascinating offseason to be sure, even when narrowing the focus only to free agency. Here’s a little more on where each team stands:
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks did not make any major moves at the deadline, so they are uncomfortably close to the luxury tax line even without their pending free agents. Expect to see them shed salary in the summer, but that could take a variety of different forms depending on how this season goes and what other teams offer for their players.
Boston Celtics
Boston is pretty clearly over the second apron for 2024-25 unless Jrue Holiday both opts out and leaves, which would be a big surprise.
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Brooklyn Nets
Retaining Ben Simmons and acquiring Dennis Schröder at the deadline made it clearer the Nets intend to function as an over-the-cap team this summer before potentially wielding significant cap space in 2025. They should be able to retain pending free agent Nic Claxton and use the nontaxpayer midlevel exception (projected to be worth $12.9 million this summer) while staying under the tax, though longer contracts would cut into their 2025 cap space.
Charlotte Hornets
While they had a successful deadline overall, the Hornets’ deals on Thursday took a significant chunk out of their 2024 spending power. The Hornets could have around $25 million in space, but retaining Miles Bridges would likely push them into being an over-the-cap team and using the nontaxpayer MLE instead even if they do not have as many free agents to retain after their moves.
Chicago Bulls
A disappointingly quiet deadline kicked the can down the road, so the only way for the Bulls to have cap space is if both DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams leave as free agents this summer. Considering they hold Williams’ restricted rights, expect the Bulls to stay over the cap and use the nontaxpayer MLE even if it is not 100 percent certain just yet.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The hottest team in the NBA this calendar year did not change their roster at the deadline, so the choice is likely between retaining restricted free agent Isaac Okoro and using the full nontaxpayer MLE. If Okoro returns, they are unlikely to have even the $5.2…
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