Rosters across the NBA are officially under construction. The offseason has been hectic so far with multiple former All-Stars traded away in blockbuster deals.
Top Free Agents
The Miami Heat acquired former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for Tyler Herro, a former All-Star, and a platter of other players and picks. Days later, LaMelo Ball was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the Charlotte Hornets added Naz Reid and a package of picks.
Several key players have re-signed with their teams before others could have a chance to lure them away. Austin Reaves (Lakers), Trae Young (Wizards), Al Horford (Warriors), CJ McCollum (Hawks), Isaiah Hartenstein (Thunder), Ayo Dosunmu (Wolves), Coby White (Hornets) and Jose Alvarado (Knicks) are among the big names already off the board.
Teams are allowed to start negotiating and reaching agreements with free agents from rival clubs starting at 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT/3 p.m. PT on Tuesday, June 30. Contracts can be made official starting Sunday, July 6.
Cap Space
The projected salary cap for 2025-26 is set at $165 million. The luxury tax level is $201 million, with the first apron at $209 million and the second apron at $222 million.
Only a select number of teams will have the ability to spend big in free agency. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be player movement. Even if teams are over the cap, they could still have access to mid-level exceptions and veteran minimums.
The teams with the most projected cap space entering free agency are the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN. Other teams that could create room are the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
