Offseason Salary Cap Digest

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Portland Trail Blazers

May 22nd, 2018 at 10:01am CST by Luke Adams

The Trail Blazers were hardly alone in spending extravagantly during the 2016 offseason, but their investments – C.J. McCollum, Evan Turner, Maurice Harkless, Meyers Leonard, and Allen Crabbe – have proven particularly onerous. Those aren’t all bad deals, and Crabbe has since been traded, but the Blazers’ big contracts have hamstrung the team’s ability to keep upgrading the roster. That issue figures to continue plaguing Portland this offseason, as the club has little cap flexibility.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Trail Blazers financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Damian Lillard ($27,977,689)
C.J. McCollum ($25,759,766)
Evan Turner ($17,868,853)
Maurice Harkless ($10,837,079)
Meyers Leonard ($10,595,506)
Al-Farouq Aminu ($6,957,105)
Zach Collins ($3,628,920)
Andrew Nicholson ($2,844,430) — Waived via stretch provision
Anderson Varejao ($1,913,345) — Waived via stretch provision
Caleb Swanigan ($1,740,000)
Festus Ezeli ($333,333) — Waived via stretch provision
Total: $110,456,026

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Wade Baldwin ($1,544,951)¹
Jake Layman ($1,544,951)²
Georgios Papagiannis ($1,544,951)³
Total: $4,634,853

Restricted Free Agents

Jusuf Nurkic ($4,749,591 qualifying offer / $8,841,915 cap hold): Bird rights
Shabazz Napier ($3,452,308 qualifying offer / $7,084,080 cap hold): Bird rights
Pat Connaughton ($1,839,228 qualifying offer / $1,839,228 cap hold): Bird rights
Total: $17,765,223

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Ed Davis ($12,069,809): Bird rights
No. 24 overall pick ($1,819,780)
Total: $13,889,589

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

With over $110MM in guaranteed contracts already on their books for 2018/19, the Blazers have no viable path to cap room, barring multiple trades and/or cuts. In fact, with only eight players accounting for that $110MM+, Portland could easily approach or surpass the tax line once the team’s roster fills out — especially if Nurkic is re-signed.

Footnotes:

Baldwin’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 19.
Layman’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 30.
Papagiannis’ salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 19.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Indiana Pacers

May 18th, 2018 at 12:34pm CST by Luke Adams

The Pacers’ decision to send Paul George to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis last summer received more criticism than just about any other trade or signing. With George poised to potentially leave OKC and Oladipo headed for a potential All-NBA nod, those reviews look misguided in retrospect. That deal was the first in a series of moves that set up the Pacers with enviable cap flexibility going forward.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Pacers financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Victor Oladipo ($21,000,000)
Cory Joseph ($7,945,000): Exercised player option
Al Jefferson ($4,000,000) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.¹
Myles Turner ($3,410,284)
Domantas Sabonis ($2,659,800)
T.J. Leaf ($2,407,560)
Monta Ellis ($2,245,400) — Waived via stretch provision
Darren Collison ($2,000,000) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.²
Bojan Bogdanovic ($1,500,000) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.³
Ike Anigbogu ($690,000) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.⁴
Total: $47,858,044

Player Options

Thaddeus Young ($13,764,045)
Total: $13,764,045

Team Options

Lance Stephenson ($4,360,000)
Joe Young ($1,600,520)⁵
Total: $5,960,520

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Bojan Bogdanovic ($9,000,000) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.³
Darren Collison ($8,000,000) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.²
Al Jefferson ($6,000,000) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.¹
Alex Poythress ($1,544,951)⁶
Ike Anigbogu ($688,242) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.⁴
Total: $25,233,193

Restricted Free Agents

None

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

No. 23 overall pick ($1,895,624)
Trevor Booker ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Glenn Robinson III ($1,499,698): Bird rights
Total: $4,895,020

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: $14,602,734

Few NBA teams have more wild cards affecting their cap situation than the Pacers, who entered the offseason with five players on non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts and four more with player or team options.
Our projection accounts for Indiana’s five fully guaranteed salaries, Thaddeus Young‘s player option, full salaries for Bogdanovic, Collison, and Anigbogu, Stephenson’s team option, and cap holds for the first-round pick and one empty roster spot. The result? A total team salary of $86,397,266.
It goes without saying that things could much look different for Indiana. A big free agent splash seems unlikely, but if the team really wanted to clear space, it could renounce its free agents, decline some options, and waive its non-guaranteed contracts. With just their five guaranteed contracts, Young’s player option, and Anigbogu on the books, the Pacers could get up to nearly $35MM in cap space. Still, they’re unlikely to simply cut loose solid values like Stephenson, Bogdanovic, and Collison.

Footnotes:

Jefferson’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 2.
Collison’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.
Bogdanovic’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 29.
Anigbogu’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 15.
Young’s salary would still be non-guaranteed until July 1 if his option is exercised.
Poythress’ salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 25.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: New Orleans Pelicans

May 17th, 2018 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

Re-signing Jrue Holiday to a massive five-year contract during the 2017 offseason ensured that the Pelicans didn’t have any cap room available last year, and that figures to be the case again this summer. Now, the big question will be whether the team can bring back its two key free agents – DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo – without going deep into luxury-tax territory.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Pelicans financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Jrue Holiday ($26,131,111)
Anthony Davis ($25,434,262)
Nikola Mirotic ($12,500,000)
Solomon Hill ($12,252,928)
E’Twaun Moore ($8,808,685)
Alexis Ajinca ($5,285,394)
Frank Jackson ($1,378,242)
Cheick Diallo ($500,000) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.¹
Total: $92,290,622

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Emeka Okafor ($2,445,085)²
Darius Miller ($2,205,000)³
DeAndre Liggins ($1,795,015)⁴
Cheick Diallo ($1,044,951) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.¹
Total: $7,490,051

Restricted Free Agents

None

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

DeMarcus Cousins ($27,095,775): Bird rights
Rajon Rondo ($3,960,000): Non-Bird rights
Jordan Crawford ($1,499,698): Early Bird rights
Ian Clark ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Total: $34,055,171

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

Even if the Pelicans were to renounce all their free agents and waive all their non-guaranteed salaries, their total team salary would still reach a minimum of $96,447,177, creating less than $5MM in cap room. The mid-level exception projects to be worth about $8.57MM, so New Orleans is better off remaining an over-the-cap team. Plus, cap holds for Cousins and Rondo would put the club way over the cap anyway.
For what it’s worth, Cousins’ max salary projects to be $30.3MM. Adding that figure to the Pelicans’ current guaranteed salaries increases team salary to $122,590,622 for just eight players, meaning New Orleans would have to go well past the tax line to fill out its roster. As such, if the club plans to bring back Cousins on a max deal, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one or two of those other guaranteed contracts traded or waived.

Footnotes:

Diallo’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 7.
Okafor’s salary becomes guaranteed for $100K after July 12.
Miller’s salary becomes guaranteed for $300K after June 28, then fully guaranteed after July 24.
Liggins’ salary becomes guaranteed for $50K after July 15, then guaranteed for $75K after July 30.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Utah Jazz

May 16th, 2018 at 2:51pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jazz lost out on last summer’s top free agent, as Gordon Hayward left Utah for Boston. However, a Rookie of the Year candidate (Donovan Mitchell) and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate (Rudy Gobert) made sure that the team didn’t take a step back in 2017/18. Still, after being handily defeated in the Western Conference Semifinals for a second straight spring, Utah will enter the 2018 offseason looking for ways to raise the ceiling of its roster.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Jazz financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Rudy Gobert ($23,491,573)
Ricky Rubio ($14,975,000)
Joe Ingles ($13,045,455)
Alec Burks ($11,536,515)
Jae Crowder ($7,305,825)
Donovan Mitchell ($3,111,480)
Tony Bradley ($1,679,520)
Total: $75,145,368

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Thabo Sefolosha ($5,250,000)¹
Jonas Jerebko ($4,200,000)²
Ekpe Udoh ($3,360,000)³
David Stockton ($1,544,951)⁴
Royce O’Neale ($1,378,242)
Total: $15,733,193

Restricted Free Agents

Dante Exum ($4,333,931 qualifying offer / $14,977,156 cap hold): Bird rights
Raul Neto ($1,839,228 qualifying offer / $1,839,228 cap hold): Bird rights
Total: $16,816,383

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Derrick Favors ($18,000,000): Bird rights
No. 21 overall pick ($2,056,693)
Total: $20,056,693

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

The Jazz aren’t typically major players in free agency, so our cap projection assumes they won’t make an effort to create cap room this summer. With $75MM+ in guaranteed contracts and a $2MM cap hold for their first-round pick, the Jazz would almost certainly remain an over-the-cap team if they re-sign Exum and Favors and bring back some or all of their players on non-guaranteed contracts.
On the other hand, if the Jazz do want to clear cap space, they could do so. Their seven guaranteed salaries along with cap charges for their first-round pick and four empty roster slots would result in a total team salary of $80,527,305. That would mean more than $20MM in cap room — but it would also mean renouncing or waiving Exum, Favors, Sefolosha, Jerebko, O’Neale, and others. That’s probably not realistic.

Footnotes:

Sefolosha’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.
Jerebko’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 9.
Udoh’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 9.
Stockton’s exact contract details, including guarantee info, aren’t yet known.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Oklahoma City Thunder

May 15th, 2018 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

The Thunder went all-in during the 2017 offseason, trading four key rotation players for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. While George had a strong season, Anthony looked like a shell of his former self. Now, the Thunder will have to figure out how to bring back George and avoid paying Anthony upwards of $28MM in 2018/19.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Thunder financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Russell Westbrook ($35,350,000)¹
Steven Adams ($24,157,304)
Andre Roberson ($10,000,000)
Alex Abrines ($5,455,236)
Patrick Patterson ($5,451,600)
Kyle Singler ($4,996,000)
Terrance Ferguson ($2,118,840)
Dakari Johnson ($1,378,242)
Total: $88,907,222

Player Options

Carmelo Anthony ($27,928,140)²
Paul George ($20,703,384)
Total: $48,631,524

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

None

Restricted Free Agents

None

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Josh Huestis ($2,243,326): Bird rights
Corey Brewer ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Nick Collison ($1,499,698): Bird rights³
Raymond Felton ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Jerami Grant ($1,499,698): Bird rights
Total: $8,242,118

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

While the Thunder currently have less than $89MM in guaranteed salary on their books, Anthony’s early termination option essentially eliminates the opportunity for cap room. And if the Thunder want to re-sign George after he declines his player option, they’ll have to keep a massive cap hold on their books to retain his Bird rights. Even if George were to depart and Anthony were to be waived and stretched, the Thunder’s total team salary would still be $101,541,846 (eight guaranteed salaries, Anthony’s dead money, and cap charges for four empty roster spots).
If the Thunder had to account for Anthony’s option and a max contract for George, team salary would balloon to $147,135,362 for only 10 players. That’s simply not feasible for a small-market team, so if George wants to return, Anthony will have to go, via either trade, buyout, or stretch provision.

Footnotes:

Westbrook will have a maximum salary worth 35% of the salary cap. This projected max salary is based on a $101MM cap, but it could be higher or lower depending on where the cap lands.
Anthony’s option is technically an early termination option. However, it essentially functions the same as a player option does. To opt into the final year of his contract, he’ll simply have to decline his option to terminate it early.
Collison has announced his retirement.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Minnesota Timberwolves

May 15th, 2018 at 8:44am CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves cashed in their cap space during the 2017 offseason, signing Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson to lucrative deals and trading for Jimmy Butler. With Andrew Wiggins now locked up to a max extension, and a new max contract for Karl-Anthony Towns likely to follow, it may be a while before Minnesota has cap room available again.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Timberwolves financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Andrew Wiggins ($25,250,000)¹
Jimmy Butler ($20,445,779)
Jeff Teague ($19,000,000)
Gorgui Dieng ($15,170,787)
Taj Gibson ($14,000,000)
Karl-Anthony Towns ($7,839,435)
Justin Patton ($2,667,600)
Tyus Jones ($2,444,053)
Cole Aldrich ($2,056,021) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.²
Kevin Martin ($1,360,304) — Waived via stretch provision
Total: $110,233,979

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Cole Aldrich ($4,900,000) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.²
Total: $4,900,000

Restricted Free Agents

Nemanja Bjelica ($4,937,499 qualifying offer / $7,504,998 cap hold): Bird rights
Marcus Georges-Hunt ($1,699,698 qualifying offer / $1,699,698 cap hold): Non-Bird rights
Amile Jefferson ($1,537,872 qualifying offer / $1,537,872 cap hold): Non-Bird rights
Anthony Brown ($1,499,698 qualifying offer / $1,499,698 cap hold): Non-Bird rights³
Total: $12,242,266

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Jamal Crawford ($5,193,600): Non-Bird rights⁴
No. 20 overall pick ($2,142,395)
Aaron Brooks ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Derrick Rose ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Total: $10,335,391

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

If we assume the Timberwolves waive and stretch Aldrich and keep their other eight players with guaranteed salaries, we can add cap charges for their first-round pick and three empty roster slots to arrive at a total team salary of $113,499,626. That takes the Wolves well over the cap, and projects to take them near the luxury tax line too if they want to use most or all of their mid-level exception.
The Timberwolves currently only have about $43MM in guaranteed money on their books for 2019/20. However, once Teague’s $19MM player option and new contracts for Butler and Towns are added to that total, Minnesota projects to have no cap room for the foreseeable future, barring major roster changes.

Footnotes:

Wiggins will have a maximum salary worth 25% of the salary cap. This projected max salary is based on a $101MM cap, but it could be higher or lower depending on where the cap lands.
Aldrich’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 20.
Brown, who was on a two-way contract, is eligible for a qualifying offer equivalent to a standard, minimum-salary NBA contract, since he’s no longer eligible to sign another two-way deal.
Crawford has reportedly decided to decline his 2018/19 player option worth $4,544,400.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: San Antonio Spurs

May 14th, 2018 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

It may be the end of an era in San Antonio, with Tony Parker headed for free agency and Manu Ginobili uncertain about playing another season. More troubling for the Spurs was Kawhi Leonard‘s 2017/18 season, which saw him appear in just nine games due to a lingering quad injury and has resulted in some apparent tension between the franchise and the superstar’s camp. While Parker’s and Ginobili’s futures in San Antonio are up in the air, resolving the Leonard situation will be the Spurs’ top priority this summer.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Spurs financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

LaMarcus Aldridge ($22,347,015)
Kawhi Leonard ($20,099,189)
Pau Gasol ($16,800,000)
Patty Mills ($11,571,429)
Manu Ginobili ($2,500,000)
Tim Duncan ($1,881,250) — Waived via stretch provision
Derrick White ($1,667,160)
Dejounte Murray ($1,544,951)
Total: $78,410,994

Player Options

Danny Green ($10,000,000): Bird rights
Rudy Gay ($8,826,300): Non-Bird rights
Joffrey Lauvergne ($1,656,092): Non-Bird rights
Total: $20,482,392

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Brandon Paul ($1,378,242)¹
Total: $1,378,242

Restricted Free Agents

Kyle Anderson ($4,749,591 qualifying offer / $6,455,112 cap hold): Bird rights
Davis Bertans ($1,699,698 qualifying offer / $1,699,698 cap hold): Early Bird rights
Bryn Forbes ($1,699,698 qualifying offer / $1,699,698 cap hold): Early Bird rights
Total: $9,854,508

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Tony Parker ($23,179,689): Bird rights
No. 18 overall pick ($2,337,014)
Nikola Milutinov ($1,689,080)²
Total: $27,205,783

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: $11,302,947

With so many player options and free agents to consider, the Spurs’ projected cap room could change significantly – or disappear altogether – depending on who returns and who leaves. For our projection, we’ve counted the Spurs’ seven guaranteed contracts, the cap holds for Anderson and the team’s first-round pick, and cap charges for three empty roster spots. The result is a total team salary of $89,697,053.
That projection assumes that Green, Gay, and Lauvergne will all opt out, Paul will be waived, and all non-Anderson free agents – including Parker – will be renounced. That may not be realistic. If a couple of those players are back, the Spurs’ cap room figures to dissipate quickly.

Footnotes:

Paul’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after August 1.
Milutinov was the Spurs’ 26th overall pick in 2015, meaning his cap hold is equal to the rookie scale amount for this year’s No. 26 pick. That cap hold will be removed when it’s officially determined that Milutinov won’t sign with the Spurs for 2018/19.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Milwaukee Bucks

May 11th, 2018 at 9:45am CST by Luke Adams

After a competitive first-round series against the Raptors in 2017, the Bucks seemed poised to take a step forward into the realm of legit contenders in the East. That didn’t happen, however, as the club struggled to reach its ceiling, firing head coach Jason Kidd midway through the season. Milwaukee may have to count on a new coach – and internal improvement from its current players – to get better results in 2018/19, since the club doesn’t have a ton of cap flexibility to upgrade its roster.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Bucks financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($24,157,304)
Eric Bledsoe ($15,000,000)
Khris Middleton ($13,000,000)
Tony Snell ($10,607,143)
John Henson ($10,577,466)
Matthew Dellavedova ($9,607,500)
Mirza Teletovic ($3,500,000) — Waived via stretch provision
Thon Maker ($2,799,720)
D.J. Wilson ($2,534,280)
Spencer Hawes ($2,007,058) — Waived via stretch provision
Larry Sanders ($1,865,546) — Waived via stretch provision
Sterling Brown ($1,378,242)
Total: $97,034,259

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Brandon Jennings ($2,222,803)¹
Tyler Zeller ($1,933,941)
Malcolm Brogdon ($1,544,951)²
Total: $5,701,695

Restricted Free Agents

Jabari Parker ($4,333,931 qualifying offer / $20,347,176 cap hold): Bird rights
Total: $20,347,176

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

No. 17 overall pick ($2,459,922)
Shabazz Muhammad ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Jason Terry ($1,499,698): Early Bird rights
Total: $5,459,318

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

While trades or cuts could open up some cap room for the Bucks, they’re far more likely to remain an over-the-cap team this summer. Their nine guaranteed contracts, plus Brogdon’s non-guaranteed salary, Parker’s cap hold, and the cap hold for their first-round pick bring the Bucks’ total team salary to $105,373,063, which is over the cap, but comfortably below the projected tax line.
While it looked as if the Bucks may have to move a contract or two in order to re-sign Parker and remain below the tax line, that’s not necessarily a lock. Parker wasn’t at his best down the stretch and in the postseason, which may have diminished his free agent stock to some extent. If Milwaukee doesn’t have to pay max or near-max money to retain Parker, staying out of the tax would be much easier.

Footnotes:

Jennings’ exact contract details, including guarantee info, aren’t yet known.
Brogdon’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Miami Heat

May 10th, 2018 at 2:09pm CST by Luke Adams

After having been unable to lure a star free agent to Miami since LeBron James‘ exit, the Heat decided to invest in good – but not great – players during 2017 free agency. That means lucrative new deals for James Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, and Dion Waiters. With Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson also set to get big raises in 2018/19, the Heat don’t project to have cap room this summer and don’t have their first-round pick, so any major roster changes will have to come in trades.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Heat financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Hassan Whiteside ($25,434,263)
Tyler Johnson ($19,245,370)
Goran Dragic ($18,109,175)
James Johnson ($14,651,700)
Dion Waiters ($11,550,000)
Kelly Olynyk ($11,137,527)
Josh Richardson ($9,367,200)
Justise Winslow ($3,448,926)
Bam Adebayo ($2,955,840)
A.J. Hammons ($350,088) — Waived via stretch provision
Total: $116,250,089

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Rodney McGruder ($1,544,951)¹
Total: $1,544,951

Restricted Free Agents

Jordan Mickey ($1,839,228 qualifying offer / $1,839,228 cap hold)
Total: $1,839,228

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Wayne Ellington ($8,151,000): Early Bird rights
Luke Babbitt ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Udonis Haslem ($1,499,698): Bird rights
Dwyane Wade ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Total: $12,650,094

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

Even without re-signing Ellington, Wade, or any other free agents, the Heat project to be way over the cap. Their nine guaranteed salaries, McGruder’s non-guaranteed salary, and cap charges for two roster spots add up to a total team salary of $119,457,662. The Heat are likely headed for tax territory unless they can cut costs in a trade or two.

Footnotes:

McGruder’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 30.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2018 NBA Offseason Salary Cap Digest: Washington Wizards

May 9th, 2018 at 3:58pm CST by Luke Adams

After locking up Bradley Beal to a maximum-salary contract in 2016, the Wizards committed max deals to two more players during the 2017 offseason. Otto Porter‘s went into effect this past season, while John Wall‘s – which could start at approximately $37.8MM – will begin in 2019/20. Even before Wall’s huge raise hits their cap, the Wizards have very limited flexibility, reducing the club’s options in free agency this summer. It remains to be seen if the trade market can help Washington upgrade its roster.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Wizards financially, as we continue our Offseason Salary Cap Digest series for 2018:

Guaranteed Salary

Otto Porter ($26,011,913)
Bradley Beal ($25,434,262)
John Wall ($19,169,800)
Ian Mahinmi ($15,944,154)
Marcin Gortat ($13,565,218)
Markieff Morris ($8,600,000)
Kelly Oubre ($3,208,630)
Tomas Satoransky ($3,129,187)
Martell Webster ($833,333) — Waived via stretch provision
Total: $115,896,497

Player Options

Jason Smith ($5,450,000)
Jodie Meeks ($3,454,500)
Total: $8,904,500

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

None

Restricted Free Agents

None

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

Tim Frazier ($3,800,000): Bird rights
No. 15 overall pick ($2,725,615)
Chris McCullough ($2,243,326): Bird rights
Ty Lawson ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Mike Scott ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Ramon Sessions ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
Total: $13,268,035

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

The Wizards will be well over the cap threshold again in 2018/19, barring major cuts and/or trades. If we assume Smith and Meeks exercise their player options, the Wizards’ total team salary – taking into account their 10 player contracts, plus cap charges for their first-round pick and an empty roster spot – would get all the way up to $128,357,923.
That projected team salary isn’t just over the cap — it’s also well over the estimated tax line. So the Wizards may look to cut costs to avoid paying the tax for a team that mustered just two playoff wins.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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