This year’s NBA playoffs could set a record for fewest games since the current format was adopted in 2003, tweets salary cap expert Albert Nahmad.
If the Warriors or Cavaliers sweep the Finals, that will result in 78 games, which would be the lowest total since the first-round was expanded to best-of-seven. Even if the Finals go to seven games, 81 would be tied for the second-fewest.
The reduction in games means less revenue from gate receipts, which could cause next season’s salary cap to fall below its current projection of $101MM, according to RealGM.
The Warriors have notched the highest gate receipts of any playoff team over the past three years. However, they swept their way into the Finals and have played just six home games so far, compared to 10 at the same point last season. Their Finals opponents, the Cavaliers, are 12-1 and have also played just six games at home.
There have been just two seven-game series so far, with the Clippers and Jazz going the distance in the first round and the Celtics and Wizards doing the same in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The NBA released its cap projection of $101MM in April. The official figure will be calculated in July.
Getting rid of max contracts would help balance out the league I think
All-NBA players demand so much money it seems impossible to build a team around them unless you get lucky with draft picks that have cheaper contracts.