As the NBA offseason gets underway, team executives are weighing their rosters and salary cap sheets in anticipation of what could be several blockbuster trades. Franchises are lining themselves up as player contracts and free agency dawn. Major trades could be in the cards, too, which will further stoke the fires of intrigue. To Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry — fearless faces in the new revolution. While other players are still entering this new game with caution, the big players are racing to sign the biggest contracts.
This summer, the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics are learning the ins and outs of salary cap minutia. They’re looking to boost their rosters and solidify their prospects for glory. Franchises need to have a firm grasp on the consequences of both forms of free agency. Understanding this information will be essential to making the most impactful moves. The landscape of the league is continuing to change rapidly, and every single decision can have long lasting effects.
Contract Overviews of Key Players
That leaves Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead, exciting young rookie prospects who are both on rookie scale contracts commensurate with their star potential. Clowney’s deal is valued at $3.4 million, while Whitehead’s is worth $3.2 million. Both players will be restricted free agents in 2027. This reduces the incentive for their teams to hold onto them because those teams can keep their rights just by extending qualifying offers.
Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson are both greater established talent with more prohibitive contracts. Claxton’s contract is worth $25.4 million overall, thus making him an unrestricted free agent in 2028. Johnson’s sizable $21.1 million contract indicates the Falcons are all-in on creating a dominant offensive line. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Those dollar amounts paint a picture of the different financial strides teams have taken over the years to commit big money to various player archetypes.
Maxwell Lewis Another intriguing name to keep an eye on, Lewis is owed $2.2 million through 2026. This relatively secure contract status affords his team some flexibility as they attempt to retool their roster without forcing their hand financially in the immediate future.
Salary Cap Dynamics and Team Strategies
The Utah Jazz should do this summer as a team over the salary cap. They have only 15 players currently under contract, paving the way for a thrilling off-season. This middle ground grants them almost no flexibility but guarantees that they will always be able to field a competitive team. San Antonio is currently $27 million below the tax. Additionally, they’re $33 million below the first apron, which would allow them some flexibility for free agency/trade avenues.
The Boston Celtics are the other second apron team, for the second straight year to boot. This status quo can further undermine their changes to attract new talent while staying under the luxury tax ceiling. The Brooklyn Nets possess the most impressive cap flexibility this summer. This liquidity and stock currency gives them a tremendous advantage to compete for marquee assets on the public or private market.
As the Philadelphia 76ers might say, the Sixers are “tanking.” Assuming they don’t trade away their own first-round pick this season, they owe Brooklyn a top-8-protected first-round pick in 2028. This conditional pick is the perfect example of the moves teams are still making, even now, to set themselves up for future trades and drafts.
Rumors and Player Movement
It’s that time of year when discussions begin to intensify over various potential trades. Youngsters such as Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, and Kevon Looney are just now starting to hit free agency. Their statuses may well determine how several contenders approach the winter as they seek to construct the most competitive rosters possible for the ’24 season. Braxton Key and Kevin Knox are two others to keep an eye on. They would still be attractive assets to teams that are looking for NHL-ready depth and young talent.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be a centerpiece of that speculation. He’ll be eligible to sign a four-year, $293.4 million extension in the 2026 offseason. If completed, this deal will turn him into one of the league’s most valuable assets. Bobby Portis weighed in on the implications of a trade involving Antetokounmpo, stating:
“Just looking business-wise: You trade for him, obviously, he’s going to make, what, $58-$60 million.” – Bobby Portis
Portis further remarked on the financial repercussions of acquiring a star player like Antetokounmpo:
“You’ve got to trade your whole team, right?” – Bobby Portis
His remarks are emblematic of the intricacies to go into any possible agreement that might upend the balance of power among clubs throughout the league.
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