The thrilling NBA playoffs ended with a new NBA champion, the Milwaukee Bucks. Now the process starts all over again for the Bucks and the other 29 teams that want to get to the top -- a 2021 NBA free agency filled with big questions and big decisions.
Let's run through all 30 teams with breakdowns on big-picture priorities, cap space, team needs, extension-eligible players, free agents and depth charts.
Depth charts include only players under contract for next season. Second-round picks, until they sign a contract, are excluded. We've included an explainer for Bird rights at the end of this story.
MORE: 2021 and 2022 free agents | Draft assets for every team
Atlanta Hawks
Offseason transactions: Trae Young (rookie extension), Gorgui Dieng (free agent), Solomon Hill (free agent), Delon Wright (trade), Jalen Johnson (draft) and Sharife Cooper (draft)
What to watch: The cost of retaining restricted free agent John Collins
General manager Travis Schlenk has made it known that Collins is a priority in the offseason. "I told John that I was extremely proud of the way he played this year. He made a decision to go to restricted free agency last fall. A lot of times, that can impact a player. I think what you saw from John, he wasn't playing for his numbers. He was out there playing for the team to win. A lot of cases when guys are going into free agency, you can see the opposite. We didn't see that at all in John this year. I think that speaks very highly of his character and what he's about. He's about being on a winning basketball team. I don't have anything negative to say about John Collins."
As in all cases in free agency, especially when it comes to the restricted market, supply and demand will dictate the cost when it comes to Collins. Unless Atlanta comes with an aggressive offer on the first day of free agency, Collins will certainly test the market to see if a team like Charlotte, Dallas, New York, Oklahoma City or San Antonio will make an offer sheet. However, the Hawks aren't likely to let Collins walk away for nothing. Because of their cap situation, Atlanta has only $15 million in cap space to find a replacement, and although the Hawks have Danilo Gallinari and De'Andre Hunter on the bench, neither is a significant upgrade over Collins.
What else to watch in Atlanta
Rookie extension for Kevin Huerter
Does extending Clint Capela make sense?
Available exceptions: $4.5 million (midlevel), $3.7 million biannual and veterans minimum
Room under the tax: $31.5 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Backup shooting guard
Continued development of Cam Reddish, De'Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu
Extension eligible: Huerter (rookie), Capela and Wright
Free-agent status
Lou Williams | Bird
Brandon Goodwin | Early Bird
Skylar Mays | Restricted | Non Bird
Nathan Knight | Non Bird
MORE: Complete Hawks offseason guide
Boston Celtics
Offseason transactions: Josh Richardson (trade), Kris Dunn (trade), Bruno Fernando (trade), Juhann Begarin (draft) and Sam Hauser (two-way contract)
What to watch: The expiring contract of Marcus Smart
Head coach Ime Udoka made it known that the three foundational players in Boston are Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Smart. "I've spent time with all three of those guys. ... They all bring something different to the team. What Marcus brings is invaluable -- he's the heart and soul of the team at times. He's another foundational piece. He's been here through thick and thin, seen the winning and seen some downtimes. What he does for Jayson and Jaylen is invaluable in my eyes," he told 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak and Bertrand" show.
Smart, who earned first-team All-Defensive honors in 2018-19 and 2019-20, is on an expiring $14.4 million contract but is eligible for a contract extension. Boston or an acquiring team (six months after the trade) can add a total of four years and $74.4 million of new money. If there is no extension in place, Boston would have a decision to make concerning the future of Smart.
What else to watch in Boston
The direction with the $7.7M and $6.9M trade exception
The rookie extension of Robert Williams
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million, veterans minimum and trade ($7.7 million, $6.9 million and $4.8 million)
Room under the tax: $951K
Room under the hard cap: $6.4 million
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the Celtics use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Players under contract: 14
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
A big offseason of development with the former first-round draft picks
Shooting off the bench
Wing defender
Extension eligible: Robert Williams (rookie), Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Josh Richardson and Carsen Edwards.
Free-agent status
Tremont Waters | Early Bird
Luke Kornet | Early Bird
Tacko Fall | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Celtics offseason guide
Brooklyn Nets
Offseason transactions: Patty Mills (free agent), Bruce Brown (free agent), Blake Griffin (free agent), Cameron Thomas (draft), Day'Ron Sharpe (draft), Marcus Zegarowski (draft), RaiQuan Gray (draft) and Jevon Carter (trade)
What to watch: The free agency of Spencer Dinwiddie
Dinwiddie has been linked to Washington as a landing spot. However, because the Wizards do not have cap space to sign the guard, Brooklyn holds leverage. Even though the Nets would create a large trade exception, they would be hesitant to make a deal unless draft assets are involved. For example, the Hornets receive a lottery-protected first-round pick from New Orleans in the Devonte' Graham sign-and-trade.
What else to watch in Brooklyn
The extensions: Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving
How to proceed with the $5.9 million tax midlevel exception
Who/what are the tradable players/assets left on this roster?
What is the financial cost that ownership is willing to absorb?
Available exceptions: $5.9 million tax midlevel and veterans minimum
Above the luxury tax: $31.6 million
Note: Because the Nets are over the hard cap, they cannot acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Players under contract: 14
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
For the Big Three to stay healthy
Bench depth: SF
Extension eligible: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Nicolas Claxton and DeAndre Jordan
Free-agent status
Spencer Dinwiddie | Bird
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot | Early Bird
Tyler Johnson | Early Bird
Reggie Perry | Restricted | Non-Bird
Chris Chiozza | Early Bird
Mike James | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Nets offseason guide
Charlotte Hornets
Offseason transactions: Mason Plumlee (trade), James Bouknight (draft), Kai Jones (draft), Scottie Lewis (two-way), Arnoldas Kulboka (two-way) and JT Thor (draft)
What to watch: The extensions for Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges
Two years ago, Rozier's three-year, $56.7 million contract was thought of as an overpay. The Hornets were paying starter money (an average of $19 million per season) to a player who never averaged more than 26 minutes nor shot above 40% in his four seasons with the Boston Celtics. Now as Rozier enters the final year of that contract, he's seen as one of the bargains in the NBA. Rozier posted career highs in offensive rating (110.9), true shooting percentage (57.5%), field goal percentage (45.0%) and points per game (20.4) this season. He's also become incredibly efficient in the midrange, going from a 39.5% shooter to a 57.4% shooter on shots taken 10-14 feet from the basket, per NBA.com. Rozier is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but because his salary is declining (from $18.9 to $17.9 million), the maximum that Charlotte can offer is $96.3 million over four seasons. Bridges is best known for his highlight dunks but quietly put together his most efficient season. Moved to the bench as a result of the Gordon Hayward signing, the forward shot a career high 50.3% from the field and 40% from 3. In the 19 games that Bridges did start, the forward averaged 18.6 points on 50.8% from the field and 41.8% from 3.
What else to watch in Charlotte
$13 million in remaining cap space
Available exceptions: $4.9 million room and veterans minimum
Room under the cap: $13 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way contracts: 2
Team needs
Backup point and shooting guard
Extension eligible: Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges (rookie), Cody Martin, Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels
Free-agent status
Bismack Biyombo | Bird
Brad Wanamaker | Non-Bird
Nate Darling | Non-Bird
Grant Riller | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Hornets offseason guide
Chicago Bulls
Offseason transactions: Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu (draft)
What to watch: The restricted free agency of Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen is a rare 7-foot tall stretch four who is only 23 years old and is coming off a career year on the offensive end: highs in field goal percentage (47.9%), three point percentage (39.4%), true shooting (61.4%) and effective field goal percentage (58.8%). The big questions are how he fits long-term alongside Vucevic and does Chicago want to commit starter money to a player who is a sixth man? Markkanen started the first 23 games this season, including the first game with Vucevic in the lineup but was moved to the bench the following game. A sign-and-trade is certainly an option but Markkanen would be subject to the complicated rules of Base Year Compensation, meaning his outgoing salary in a trade would count as 50% and not the full amount. For example, if Markkanen signs a deal in a sign-and-trade with a first-year salary $15 million, only $7.5 million of that would count in outgoing salary for the Bulls, while the acquiring team would have to be able to fit the full $15 million.
What else to watch in Chicago
Zach LaVine: Last year of his contract
The expiring contract: Thaddeus Young
Available exceptions: $1 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, trade ($8.2 million) and veterans minimum
Room under the tax: $19.5 million
Room under the hard cap: $25.9 million
Players under contract: 8
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Bench depth at small forward and center
Extension eligible: Zach LaVine, Al-Farouq Aminu, Nikola Vucevic, Thaddeus Young
Free-agent status
Cristiano Felicio | Bird
Lauri Markkanen | Restricted | Bird
Denzel Valentine | Bird
Javonte Green | Restricted | Early Bird
Ryan Arcidiacono | Bird
Devon Dotson | Restricted | Non-bird
MORE: Complete Bulls offseason guide
Cleveland Cavaliers
Offseason transactions: Jarrett Allen (free agent) Evan Mobley (draft) and Ricky Rubio (trade)
What to watch: The rookie extension of Collin Sexton
Sometimes the decision to offer a player a max extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal is easy. Just last offseason, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and Bam Adebayo were no-brainers. They'd all already been All-Stars and had led their respective teams to the playoffs. Then there was De'Aaron Fox. The No. 5 pick in the 2017 draft had proven himself as a scorer in his first three years in the league, but hadn't made an All-Star team and hadn't helped the Kings end their playoff drought, which has now extended to 15 seasons. Still, Sacramento gave Fox a five-year, $168 million max extension on the first day of free agency. Like all extensions, the Kings bought more stock in the future with the belief that the upside of Fox outweighed getting into a prolonged negotiation that would have resulted in Fox becoming a restricted free agent in 2021. When it comes to Sexton this offseason, could we see the Cavaliers follow a similar approach with the former No. 8 pick? Sexton is a dynamic borderline All-Star who is coming off a season where he averaged a career high in points (24.3), field goal percentage (47.5%) and assists (4.3). While his production over the first three years of his career might not seem max worthy, the same could've been said about Fox last offseason. If Cleveland views him part of the future, it is wise to invest in him now and not wait until he is a restricted free agent. The narrative that the Cavaliers will paint themselves into a financial corner if Allen, Sexton and Darius Garland sign lucrative contracts is incorrect. The Cavaliers will not be in the luxury tax for the foreseeable future. The deciding factor will not come down to finances but if they view Sexton as a player they can build a playoff team around.
What else to watch in Cleveland
The future of Kevin Love: $60M left on his contract
What is the next step with this roster?
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, trade ($4.3 million and $1.8 million) and veterans minimum
Room under the tax: $12.4 million
Players under contract: 14
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Closure on the future of Love
Continued development with the recent draft picks
Extension eligible: Collin Sexton (rookie), Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr., Ricky Rubio and Cedi Osman
Free-agent status
Isaiah Hartenstein | Non-Bird
Matthew Dellavedova | Unrestricted | Bird
Brodric Thomas | Restricted | Non-Bird
Jeremiah Martin | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Cavaliers offseason guide
Dallas Mavericks
Offseason transactions: Boban Marjanovic (free agent), Tim Hardaway Jr. (free agent), Sterling Brown (free agent) and Reggie Bullock (free agent)
What to watch:
The extension of Jalen Brunson
The Mavericks took an unorthodox approach when they signed Brunson to a four-year contract after he was drafted in 2018. Because the contract does not contain a team option for 2021-22, the Mavericks are at risk of Brunson playing out the contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The inclusion of a team option would have allowed Dallas to decline the option and make Brunson a restricted free agent this offseason. Brunson's cap hold in that scenario would've been just $2.1 million, and the Mavericks could've re-signed him to a longer deal or matched any offer he received from another team. Instead, because his unrestricted free agent status hangs over the organization, Brunson has leverage as it relates to the maximum allowed in an extension. Dallas can offer the guard a four-year, $55 million extension, eliminating the threat of him becoming an unrestricted free agent. If Brunson declines the extension, he'll enter a 2022 offseason with close to half of the league projected to have cap space to use on him or a group of unrestricted free agent guards that will likely include Terry Rozier, Tyus Jones, Patrick Beverley and Marcus Smart.
What else to watch in Dallas
The blank check approach with Doncic: $207M rookie extension eligible
Year 3 of Porzingis ($90M+ left on his contract)
Available exceptions: Trade ($10.8 million) and veterans minimum
Room below the tax: $21.5 million
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
A power forward to compliment Porzingis
Extension eligible: Luka Doncic (rookie), Jalen Brunson, Dwight Powell, Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber
Free-agent status
JJ Redick | Early Bird
Nate Hinton | Restricted | Non-Bird
Tyler Bey | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Mavericks offseason guide
Denver Nuggets
Offseason transactions: Will Barton (free agent), JaMychal Green (free agent), Jeff Green (free agent), Austin Rivers (free agent) and Bones Hyland (draft)
What to watch: The Michael Porter Jr. rookie extension
Three years ago, Porter had the talent to be a top-five pick in the 2018 NBA draft, but he slid to the last pick of the lottery because of concerns about the back injury that limited him to three games at Missouri. After sitting out his first NBA season to rehab his back, Porter's two seasons of action have had just as much range. He has shown flashes of that top-five potential but has also at times been unplayable because of his lapses on defense and effort. In the 34 games between March 4 to May 11, Porter played at an All-Star level, averaging 23.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, while shooting 57.5% from the field and 47.6% from 3. The forward was a +8.0 when he was on the court, and the Nuggets had a record of 25-9.
The Nuggets now have a decision on whether to extend Porter this offseason or wait and let him become a restricted free agent in 2022. The options for Denver range from offering him a five-year, $168 million extension but with language that protects the team in case he injures his back. They could also offer him a non-max extension for four seasons, comparable to the $107 million contract that Jaylen Brown signed in 2019.
What else to watch in Denver
The extension options of Aaron Gordon
The finances moving forward: Are they comfortable paying the luxury tax in 2022-23?
Available exceptions: $4.5 million midlevel, veterans minimum and trade ($5.3, $2.2 and $1.6 million)
Room under the tax: $500K
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the Nuggets use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
A healthy Jamal Murray
Extension-eligible: Michael Porter Jr. (rookie), Aaron Gordon and Vlatko Cancar
Free-agent status
Paul Millsap | Bird
Shaquille Harrison | Non-Bird
Markus Howard | Restricted | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Nuggets offseason guide
Detroit Pistons
Offseason transactions: Kelly Olynyk (free agent), Cory Joseph (free agent), Cade Cunningham (draft), Isaiah Livers (draft), Luka Garza (draft), Balsa Koprivica (draft) and Chris Smith (two-way contract)
What to watch: Restricted free agent Hamidou Diallo
Call the trade for Diallo at the deadline a six-week free-agent audition. It allowed the Pistons to learn whether they had a player they could build around or move on from, and the only true cost to the organization was a 2027 second-round pick that was acquired from Houston (Svi Mykhailiuk, whom the Pistons sent to OKC in the trade, is also set to become a free agent). In 20 games in Detroit, Diallo shot a career-high 39% from 3, had a career-high 35-point performance in a loss to Charlotte and solidified that the low-risk investment was justified. He is a restricted free agent, and at the minimum the Pistons will tender him a $2.1 million qualifying offer.
The hard part is gauging a starting salary for Diallo based on his three years in Oklahoma City and the 20 games in a Pistons uniform. Teams like New York and San Antonio all have cap space, and Detroit will need to decide the price point when it comes to matching an offer sheet. The likelihood is that Diallo will see offers from teams in the midlevel range, making the Pistons' decision to match easy.
What else to watch in Detroit
Player Development 101: Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, Sekou Doumbouya and this year's lottery pick
Available exceptions: veterans minimum
Room under the tax: $24.9 million
Players under contract: 11
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Backup shooting guard
Continued development of the recent draft picks
Extension eligible: Rodney McGruder
Free-agent status
Dennis Smith Jr. | Bird
Hamidou Diallo | Restricted | Bird
Saben Lee | Restricted | Non-bird
Frank Jackson | Restricted | Non-bird
MORE: Complete Pistons offseason guide
Golden State Warriors
Offseason transactions: Stephen Curry (extension), Otto Porter Jr. (free agent), Nemanja Bjelica (free agent), Jonathan Kuminga (draft) and Moses Moody (draft)
What else to watch at Golden State
Free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.
The $5.9 million tax midlevel and veterans minimum
Available exceptions: $5.9 million tax midlevel, veterans minimum and trade ($2.3 and $1.9 million)
Over the tax: $43.3 million
Note: The Warriors cannot acquire a player in a sign-and-trade
Players under contract: 17
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
A healthy Klay Thompson
Point guard depth
Extension eligible: Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Alen Smailagic and Eric Paschall
Free-agent status
Kelly Oubre Jr. | Bird
Nico Mannion | Restricted | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Warriors offseason guide
Houston Rockets
Offseason transactions: David Nwaba (free agent), Daniel Theis (free agent), Jalen Green (draft), Alperen Sengun (draft), Usman Garuba (draft), Josh Christopher (draft) and Matthew Hurt (two-way contract)
What to watch: The resources to retool the roster
GM Rafael Stone is fully aware of the task ahead on how to reshape this roster. "I know some teams have done wholesale rebuilds, going extraordinarily young," Stone said. "I think one of the advantages to the various moves we made this year is that we do have a lot of future draft picks that are unprotected that aren't just ours. I think that gives us the luxury of trying to be competitive and grow our young guys and have 30-something guys. The fact they may help us win a game or two extra, or five or six games, is not something that we're worried about."
The playbook on how to build sustainable success started with the Christian Wood sign-and-trade that also netted the Rockets a future first from Detroit and then moved to finding a home for their two disgruntled All-Stars, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Now with the addition of four first-round picks, what is the next step that Houston can take with its roster? The obvious direction is trying to steal a page out of the playbook with Oklahoma City and Chris Paul. The Thunder were able to trade Paul to the Suns for a future first and a package of players including Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr. Both players were eventually traded for additional draft assets. Can the Rockets find a comparable package for the $91 million owed to John Wall?
What else to watch in Houston
Do they take advantage of the high value with Wood?
The veterans: DJ Augustin, Eric Gordon and Danuel House
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($5.1, $2.2 and $1.8 million)
Room under the tax: $12.4 million
Room below the hard cap: $15.9 million
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Patience
Priority in player development
Extension eligible: John Wall and Danuel House
Free-agent status
Avery Bradley | Team | Non-Bird
Dante Exum | Bird
Anthony Lamb | Restricted | Non-Bird
Armoni Brooks | Restricted | Non-Bird
D.J. Wilson | Bird
MORE: Complete Rockets offseason guide
Indiana Pacers
Offseason transactions: T.J. McConnell (free agent), Torrey Craig (free agent), Chris Duarte (draft), Isaiah Jackson (draft) and Duane Washington Jr. (two-way contract)
What to watch in Indiana: The expiring contracts
While the Pacers should get high marks for having six players on contracts that range from $10.5 to $21.7 million, only Domantas Sabonis is under contract in 2023-24. That means the Pacers enter this season with two key players on expiring contracts (TJ Warren and Jeremy Lamb). Four more players have contracts that expire after 2022-23 (Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, Myles Turner and Justin Holiday). Outside of Holiday, every player on the above list can be extended either before the start of the season (Brogdon, LeVert and Turner) or during the course of the season (Warren and Lamb). Despite the Pacers' loss in the play-in tournament -- and the team's failure to get beyond the first round of the playoffs since 2014 -- this roster isn't stuck in neutral. Every player on this roster has trade value, both financially and on the court.
What else to watch in Indiana:
What is the upside of this team when healthy?
Five players eligible for an extension, including Brogdon, LeVert, Lamb and Turner
The trade options: Six players who earn between $10.5M to $21.7M and all first-round picks
Available exceptions: $4.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($4.8, $4.0 and $2.9 million)
Room under the tax: $156K
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Healthy T.J. Warren
Extension-eligible: Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, Myles Turner, TJ Warren, Jeremy Lamb and Edmond Sumner
Free-agent status
JaKarr Sampson | Early Bird
Cassius Stanley | Restricted | Non-Bird
Amida Brimah | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Pacers offseason guide
LA Clippers
Offseason transactions: Nicolas Batum (free agent), Keon Johnson (draft), Jason Preston (draft) and BJ Boston (draft)
What to watch: Kawhi Leonard
Back in December, Leonard was asked about his player option in 2021-22. "Obviously, if I'm healthy, the best decision is to decline the player option," Leonard told ESPN at the time. "But that doesn't mean I'm leaving or staying. I'm focused on the season, like I said. We'll talk about that when the time is right." Leonard is not healthy, having recently undergone surgery to repair a partially torn ACL. Despite the injury, Leonard still holds tremendous leverage despite the knee injury. The Clippers gutted their future when they traded an unprotected first in 2022, 2024, 2026 and pick swaps in 2023 and 2025 to the Thunder as part of the Paul George deal. They recently committed $190 million to George over the next five years and have no clear a path to build out the roster if they do not commit to Leonard long term even with his injury.
There are now two options that Leonard can choose from with regards to staying with the Clippers. Because he has early Bird rights, Leonard can sign a four-year, $176 million contract. The second option is to sign a two-year contract but with a player option in the second season. Leonard would then be eligible to sign a five-year, $235 million with the Clippers next offseason if he declines his option.
What else to watch for the LA Clippers:
The free agency of Reggie Jackson
What are the options outside of their free agents?
Extension for Terance Mann
Available exceptions: $5.9 million, veterans minimum and trade ($2.1 and $2.0 million)
Note: The Clippers cannot acquire a player in a sign-and-trade unless a sufficient salary is sent out to stay below the hard cap.
Room under the tax: $17.4 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Starting point guard
Depth at power forward and center
Extension-eligible: Kawhi Leonard, Patrick Beverley and Terrance Mann
Free-agent status
Kawhi Leonard | Early Bird
DeMarcus Cousins | Non-Bird
Patrick Patterson | Early Bird
Reggie Jackson | Early Bird
Amir Coffey | Restricted | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Clippers offseason guide
Los Angeles Lakers
Offseason transactions: Kendrick Nunn (free agent), Talen Horton-Tucker (free agent), Malik Monk (free agent), Carmelo Anthony (free agent), Dwight Howard (free agent), Trevor Ariza (free agent), Wayne Ellington (free agent), Kent Bazemore (free agent), Russell Westbrook (trade), Austin Reaves (two-way contract) and Joel Ayayi (two-way contract)
What else to watch for the L.A. Lakers
What is the pecking order in free agency? Half the players on the roster are free agents
What is the final cost of this roster?
Available exceptions: $5.9 million and veterans minimum
Room over the tax: $17.3 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 2
Team needs
Starting shooting guard
Bench depth at every position
Extension-eligible: Russell Westbrook
Free-agent status
Dennis Schroder | Bird
Wesley Matthews | Non-Bird
Jared Dudley | Early Bird
Devontae Cacok | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Lakers offseason guide
Memphis Grizzlies
Offseason transactions: Steven Adams (trade), Eric Bledsoe (trade), Ziaire Williams (draft) and Santi Aldama (draft)
What to watch: Bledsoe
The Grizzlies were the wild-card team heading into the offseason based on the possibility of creating up to $24 million in cap space to go free-agent shopping. Instead, Memphis parlayed flexibility into Bledsoe, Adams and two coveted draft assets -- the 10th pick this year and a 2022 Lakers top-10-protected first. The arrival of Bledsoe now presents a logjam at the point guard position with Tyus Jones. Bledsoe has an $18.1 million cap hit this year but only $3.9 million of his $19.4 million salary for the following year is non-guaranteed. Can Memphis now flip the Bledsoe contract to a team that has cap space (New York for an example) or in need of a short-term fix at the point guard position? Because the Grizzlies are acquiring him with cap space, there are no restrictions on when he can be traded.
What else to watch for in Memphis
The rookie extension options for Jaren Jackson Jr.
The extension-eligible core players: Kyle Anderson and Jones (all on expiring contracts)
Available exceptions: $4.9 million room midlevel and veterans minimum
Room over the cap: At the salary cap
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
A healthy Jackson
Veteran stretch 4
Continued development of the recent draft picks
Extension eligible: Kyle Anderson, Tyus Jones, Jaren Jackson Jr. (rookie) and Grayson Allen (rookie)
Free-agent status
Killian Tillie | Restricted | Non-Bird
Tim Frazier | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Grizzlies offseason guide
Miami Heat
Offseason transactions: Jimmy Butler (extension), Kyle Lowry (free agent), Duncan Robinson (free agent), PJ Tucker (free agent), Max Strus (free agent) and Gabe Vincent (free agent)
Available exceptions: $2.2 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and none
Room under the tax: $5 million
Room under the hard cap: $11.5 million
Players under contract: 10
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Backup power forward
Extension eligible: KZ Okpala
Free-agent status
Andre Iguodala | Bird
Victor Oladipo | Bird
Nemanja Bjelica | Bird
Udonis Haslem | Bird
Omer Yurtseven | Team | Restricted | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Heat offseason guide
Milwaukee Bucks
Offseason transactions: Bobby Portis (free agent), Semi Ojeleye (free agent), Sandro Mamukelashvili (draft) and Georgios Kalaitzakis (draft)
What to watch: The rookie extension of Donte DiVincenzo
DiVincenzo, the No. 17 pick in the 2018 draft, is entering the final season of his rookie scale contract and is eligible to sign an extension this summer. Because the deadline to extend DiVincenzo is not until the last day prior to the start of the regular season, there is no rush to extend the guard, unless he is willing to take a contract below market value (in the $8-10 million range). The loss to Brooklyn showed how valuable he is to Milwaukee, but the Bucks have the entire offseason to observe where he is from a recovery standpoint and can wait until the end of October to make a decision. Before suffering a torn tendon in his left ankle in Game 4 against Miami, DiVincenzo was the Bucks starter at shooting guard. In 66 regular season games, DiVincenzo had a +4.6 net rating when he was on the court, averaging a career high in points (10.4), 3-point percentage (37.9%), rebounds (5.7) and assists (3.0).
What else to watch in Milwaukee
Will ownership give the green light to use the $5.9 million tax midlevel?
Available exceptions: $5.9 million tax midlevel, veterans minimum and trade ($4.9 and $1.7 million)
Room under the tax: $5.5 million
Note: The Bucks cannot acquire a player in a sign-and-trade unless sufficient salary is sent back.
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Bench depth
Backup stretch four
Extension eligible: Brook Lopez and Donte DiVincenzo (rookie)
Free-agent status
Thanasis Antetokounmpo | Restricted | Bird
Bryn Forbes | Non-Bird
Justin Jackson | Non-Bird
Axel Toupane | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Bucks offseason guide
Minnesota Timberwolves
Offseason transactions: Taurean Prince (trade) and McKinley Wright (two-way contract)
What to watch: The state of the roster
Head of basketball operations Gersson Rosas told the Star Tribune at the end of the season that to be successful, a team has to have seven or eight players it feels really good about to form a foundation. "Right now we are at five," Rosas said. Those five likely consist of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, D'Angelo Russell, Jaden McDaniels and Malik Beasley. The question then comes down to how the Timberwolves build the roster outside of those five players. Or does Minnesota explore the trades with Russell, a former All-Star, as the centerpiece?
Minnesota is $10 million below the luxury tax and will likely use only $5.9 million of its midlevel exception. The Timberwolves do have $30 million in expiring contracts (Taurean Prince, Juancho Hernangomez, Jake Layman and former first-round pick Josh Okogie). Hernangomez does not have a non-guaranteed year in 2022-23. Jarrett Culver is set to enter his third season, but the former top-six pick recently had left ankle surgery, resulting in him missing the final nine games of the season. In the 34 games this season, Culver averaged 14.7 minutes (down from 23.9 last year), 5.3 points and shot 24.5% from three. The Timberwolves' sixth foundation player could be last year's first-round pick Leandro Bolmaro, who played this past year with FC Barcelona and was named Spanish ACB KIA Most Spectacular player.
What else to watch in Minnesota
Evaluate the roster with Chris Finch as head coach
How does the roster improve with limited flexibility?
Do the Timberwolves entertain extending Towns for an additional two seasons (starting in 2024-25)?
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, trade ($4.8 million) and veterans minimum
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the Timberwolves use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Room under the tax: $10.2 million
Room below the hard cap: $16.5 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
A healthy Russell and Towns
PF to compliment Towns
Edwards to take a big step in his development
Extension eligible: Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Naz Reid, Jaylen Nowell and Josh Okogie (rookie)
Free-agent status
Ed Davis | Early Bird
Jarred Vanderbilt | Restricted | Bird
Jordan McLaughlin | Restricted | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Timberwolves offseason guide
New Orleans Pelicans
Offseason transactions: Tomas Satoransky (trade), Garrett Temple (free agent), Devonte' Graham (free agent), Jonas Valanciunas (trade), Trey Murphy (draft) and Herbert Jones (draft)
What to watch: Restricted free agent Josh Hart
Since Hart was drafted by the Lakers in 2017, the 26 year old has garnered a reputation as the ultimate "glue guy". He has played every position except for center and can start (65 games) or come off the bench as a sixth man (177 games). Despite suffering a season ending thumb injury in early April, Hart finished first in rebounds (8.0) among all small forwards. At the minimum, Hart will have teams lined up with their $9.5 million midlevel exception and should see offers in the $12-13 million range.
What else to watch in New Orleans
Why the Pelicans cannot take Zion Williamson for granted: Two years in and no playoff appearances
What is the timeline of the young players: Alexander-Walker, Lewis and Hayes?
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($18.1, $3.9 and $3.1 million)
Room under the tax: $36 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Defensive-minded wings
Extension eligible: None
Free-agent status
Josh Hart | Restricted | Bird
Willy Hernangomez | Non-Bird
James Nunnally | Non-Bird
Didi Louzada | Restricted | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Pelicans offseason guide
New York Knicks
Offseason transactions: Kemba Walker (free agent), Evan Fournier (free agent), Taj Gibson (free agent), Derrick Rose (free agent), Alec Burks (free agent), Nerlens Noel (free agent), Quentin Grimes (draft), Rokas Jokubaitis (draft), Miles McBride (draft) and Jericho Sims (draft)
What to watch: The extension options for Julius Randle
When Randle signed a three-year, $60 million contract in 2019, the conversation two years later was certain to be about whether New York was going to guarantee the last year of his salary or not. At the time when he signed the contract, Randle was not viewed as an All-Star and only $4 million of his $19.8 million salary was guaranteed. The small protection in salary gave New York an out if the forward underperformed and the team wanted to go in a different direction. Now two years later, even after a disappointing playoff showing, Randle's contract is seen as one of the best bargains in the NBA. Because Randle does not meet the renegotiation requirements (third anniversary of a four-year contract) to bump up his salary in 2021-22, the only financial option that New York has is to offer Randle a four-year, $106 million extension. Despite an underwhelming performance in the playoffs, it is likely that Randle turns down that extension, not because he does not want to play in New York but because the $23.7 million starting salary is $11 million less than what he could earn with New York or perhaps another team in 2022. The overall difference from extending now and waiting until 2022 could be $100 million if New York signs Randle to a five-year contract next offseason.
What else to watch in New York
Managing expectations
Are the Knicks in a position to acquire a superstar via a trade?
The extension options for Mitchell Robinson
Available exceptions: $4.9 million midlevel and veterans minimum
Room under the cap: None
Players under contract: 14
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Backup small forward
Extension eligible: Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox
Free-agent status
Frank Ntilikina | Bird
Elfrid Payton | Early Bird
Theo Pinson | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Knicks offseason guide
Oklahoma City Thunder
Offseason transactions: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (extension), Mike Muscala (free agent),Derrick Favors (trade), Josh Giddey (draft), Tre Mann (draft), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (draft) and Aaron Wiggins (draft)
Don't expect the Thunder to take a big swing for the fences via trade or use their cap space on free agents who barely move the needle. Instead, Oklahoma City will continue to stay the course of drafting, developing, signing under the radar free agents who fit their timeline while also taking advantage of being in a position to take back salary with additional draft assets. Besides their six draft picks, Oklahoma City has fifteen players under contract and four trade exceptions of $27.5, $12.8, and $9.6 million. Although they could create $27 million in cap space, the Thunder will likely stay over the cap with their exceptions. The Thunder are well aware that the retooling of their roster is not going to happen overnight.
"You stick to your principles, you stick to your values, you think in the best interests of the organization long term," Presti said. "In our case we're really focused on building a sustainably great team in Oklahoma City. I think good things will happen, and I think we should be optimistic about that and continue to be forward facing with that respect."
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($27.5, $12.8 and $9.7 million)
Room under the cap: None
Note: The Thunder are over the salary cap because of their trade exceptions.
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Depth at shooting guard and small forward
Continued development of their young players
Extension eligible: Isaiah Roby
Free-agent status
Svi Mykhailiuk | Restricted | Bird
Josh Hall | Restricted | Non-Bird
Jaylen Hoard | Non-Bird
Tony Bradley | Bird
MORE: Complete Thunder offseason guide
Orlando Magic
Offseason transactions: Jalen Suggs (draft) and Franz Wagner (draft)
What to watch: The $17.2 million trade exception
One of the under-the-radar moves at the deadline was the Magic creating a $17.2 million trade exception as part of the Evan Fournier trade to Boston. Because the Magic are unlikely to be a big player in free agency, they can take the position similar to Oklahoma City and take back unwanted contracts but with draft picks attached to it. Including both lottery picks, the Magic are a projected $30 million below the luxury tax.
What else to watch in Orlando
The patience of a careful rebuild (not retool)
The injured: Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac
The recent lottery picks: Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr.
The expiring contracts: Gary Harris and Terrence Ross
The young core: Cole Anthony, Chuma Okeke and RJ Hampton
Available exceptions: $4.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($17.2, $4.3 and $2.1 million)
Room under the tax: $24.5 million
Players under contract: 14
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Patience
A healthy Fultz and Isaac
Starting small forward
Consistency of Carter
Bamba to develop into a rotational player
Extension eligible: Gary Harris, Terrence Ross, Mo Bamba (rookie) and Wendell Carter Jr. (rookie)
Free-agent status
Otto Porter | Bird
James Ennis | Early Bird
Chasson Randle | Non-Bird
Sindarius Thornwell | Non-Bird
Moritz Wagner | Non-Bird
Ignas Brazdeikis | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Magic offseason guide
Philadelphia 76ers
Offseason transactions: Danny Green (free agent), Andre Drummond (free agent), Jaden Springer (draft), Filip Petrusev (draft), Charles Bassey (draft) and Aaron Henry (two-way contract)
What to watch: The supermax extension of Joel Embiid
By earning All-NBA in 2020-21, Embiid met the supermax criteria and is eligible to sign an extension for four years and up to $195 million. The dollar amount is based off 35% of the projected $121.5 million cap in 2023-24 and could increase. Although both sides can negotiate the total value of the contract (for example the salary in 2023-24 could be 33% of the cap and not 35%), the contract has to be for four seasons. The body of work since Embiid signed his rookie extension in 2017 is that of a supermax player. He is a four-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, three-time All-Defensive team selection and finished second in MVP voting this season. Although there is a risk involved in every contract that is signed, the risk would be higher for the 76ers because of Embiid's injury history. A supermax extension would put Embiid -- who played through a torn meniscus this postseason -- under contract for six more seasons, and set to make nearly $53 million in 2026-27.
What else to watch in Philadelphia
The future of Simmons
The depth at the 4 and 5
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($8.2 million)
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the 76ers use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Room under the tax: $12.8 million
Players under contract: 14
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Depth at both forward spots and center
Extension eligible: Joel Embiid, Seth Curry and Shake Milton
Free-agent status
Mike Scott | Bird
Gary Clark | Non-Bird
Rayjon Tucker | Restricted | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete 76ers offseason guide
Phoenix Suns
Offseason transactions: Chris Paul (free agent), Cameron Payne (free agent), Abdel Nader (free agent), JaVale McGee (free agent) and Landry Shamet (trade)
What to watch: The rookie extensions of Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges
The playoffs showed why the Suns should invest in Ayton, who averaged 16.0 points, 12.1 rebounds and shot 67.6% from the field in the postseason. He had 15 double-doubles, including a 19-point, 22-rebound performance in a Game 4 win against the LA Clippers. The rules of a rookie extension prevent Ayton from signing a five-year extension unless it is for the maximum salary allowed: $168 million. Will Phoenix be willing to commit to the same type of max extension that players like Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis signed previously? While the $28 million cap hit in 2022-23 would be deemed as an overpay, the backend of the contract is likely to be team friendly because the NBA is set to get an infusion of national television money in 2024-25. Ayton's $33.5 million salary in 2024-25 is projected to be $5 million less than the max salary in that season.
If there is one extension candidate not named Doncic or Young who should come off the board in early August, it is Bridges. While non-max extensions are not common in the early days of free agency, Bridges has proven his value in his first three seasons. He has not missed a single game to an injury, is regarded as one of the better 3-and-D players and this past season has seen his overall offensive game develop. This past season, Bridges ranked eighth among small forwards in overall real plus-minus, fifth in defensive real plus-minus and fourth in win shares with 8.98. The Suns would be smart to overpay Bridges (four years, $100 million) but with the tradeoff of not giving Bridges a player option in the last year of the contract.
What else to watch in Phoenix
The $4.2 million Disabled Player Exception
Available exceptions: $4.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual and veterans minimum
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the Suns use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Room under the tax: $9.6 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Bench depth at power forward
Extension eligible: Landry Shamet, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Devin Booker
Free-agent status
E'Twaun Moore | Non-Bird
Langston Galloway | Non-Bird
Frank Kaminsky | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Suns offseason guide
Portland Trail Blazers
Offseason transactions: Norman Powell (free agent), Tony Snell (free agent), Ben McLemore (free agent), Cody Zeller (free agent), Greg Brown (draft) and Trendon Watford (two-way contract)
What to watch: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has never asked out during his tenure in Portland. The All-Star has made it clear that he would like to finish his career as a Trail Blazer, and this coming season will be the first he plays under the five-year supermax extension that he signed back in 2019. However, after losing to Denver in the first-round and most recently before the Olympics started, Lillard has made it well known that the roster as currently constructed is not good enough to compete for a championship. "I think the best way to put it is just to be more urgent about what our next step is and how we move forward," Lillard said after Team USA's practice in Las Vegas. "We have a lot of pride about how we've made the playoffs all these years in a row. We're not a bad team. We're a winning team. We were in the playoffs every year. We have a great environment, we have a great city, we have great fans. There's a lot of positives. "But I just think we've reached that point where it's like, 'OK, but it's not enough.' Do we actually want to win it all? Is that what we're shooting for? And we have to put action behind that desire to win at that level. That's been my only thing this entire time." The Trail Blazers signed Norman Powell to a five-year $90 million contract and inked center Cody Zeller to help bolster the bench. Are both those moves enough to appease Lillard? We will unlikely know that answer until the regular season starts.
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($1.8 million)
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the Trail Blazers use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Room under the tax: $2.3 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Health
Backup power forward
Extension eligible: Jusuf Nurkic, Robert Covington and Anfernee Simons (rookie)
Free-agent status
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson | Non-Bird
Enes Kanter | Early Bird
Harry Giles | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Trail Blazers offseason guide
Sacramento Kings
Offseason transactions: Richaun Holmes (free agent), Alex Len (free agent), Maurice Harkless (free agent), Tristan Thompson (trade), Davion Mitchell (draft) and Neemias Queta (draft)
What to watch: The rookie extension of Marvin Bagley III
In a perfect world Bagley III would agree to a long-term extension on the first day of free agency. The former No. 2 overall pick has averaged 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game over his first three seasons while shooting 50% from the field. However, he's missed more than 100 games due to injuries in that span, leaving his future uncertain. Bagley has also struggled getting to the free throw line (2.9 attempts), blocking shots (0.5 this season) and of course on the defensive end, posting a 119.3 defensive rating this season. The Kings front office should not (and likely will not) commit to a lucrative contract based on a small body of work in his first three seasons and his injury history.
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($3.7 and $2.1 million)
Room under the tax: $10.9 million
Players under contract: 15
Two-way contracts: 1
Team needs
Can Bagley stay healthy?
Extension eligible: Barnes and Justin James
Free-agent status
Hassan Whiteside | Non-Bird
Terence Davis | Restricted | Early Bird
Kyle Guy | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Kings offseason guide
San Antonio Spurs
Offseason transactions: Bryn Forbes (free agent), Jock Landale (free agent), Thaddeus Young (trade), Al-Farouq Aminu (trade), Doug McDermott (free agent), Zach Collins (free agent), Josh Primo (draft) and Joe Wieskamp (draft)
What else to watch in San Antonio:
The state of the roster: What is the timeline of the young core?
Available exceptions: $4.9 million room and veterans minimum
Room under the cap: $6 million
Note: Cap space factors in all their free agents being renounced.
Players under contract: 16
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Derrick White to stay healthy
Extension eligible: Lonnie Walker IV (rookie)
Free-agent status
Trey Lyles | Early Bird
DaQuan Jeffries | Early Bird
Keita Bates-Diop | Restricted | Non-Bird
Quinndary Weatherspoon | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Spurs offseason guide
Toronto Raptors
Offseason transactions: Gary Trent Jr. (free agent), Goran Dragic (trade), Precious Achiuwa (trade), Scottie Barnes (draft), Dalano Banton (draft) and David Johnson (draft)
What to watch: Goran Dragic
Will the stay for the veteran Dragic in Toronto be short or will we see him in a Raptor uniform when training camp begins? Although they extinguished potential cap space to take back his $19.4 million salary, the Raptors now have the option of moving Dragic in a future deal.
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.8 million biannual and veterans minimum exception
Room under the tax: $1.9 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Starting shooting guard
Bench depth
Extension eligible: None
Free-agent status
Stanley Johnson | Early Bird
Khem Birch | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Raptors offseason guide
Utah Jazz
Offseason transactions: Mike Conley (free agent), Hassan Whiteside (free agent), Rudy Gay (free agent) and Jared Butler (draft)
What to watch: Bojan Bogdanovic
Bogdanovic is set to enter the third year of the four-year contract he signed in 2019, making him extension eligible. Bogdanovic is coming off a regular season where he played all 72 games and a postseason that saw him shoot 45.6% from 3 and average 18.5 points. The Jazz can add an additional three seasons and up to $76 million in new money. The deadline to extend his contract is October 18.
Available exceptions: Veterans minimum and trade ($9.2, $5.1 and $2.1 million)
Room over the tax: $13.4 million
Players under contract: 12
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Continued development of Elijah Hughes, Miye Oni and Udoka Azubuike
Extension eligible: Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles and Miye Oni
Free-agent status
Georges Niang | Bird
Juwan Morgan | Early Bird
Ersan Ilyasova | Non-Bird
Trent Forrest | Restricted | Non-Bird
Jarrell Brantley | Restricted | Early Bird
MORE: Complete Jazz offseason guide
Washington Wizards
Offseason transactions: Corey Kispert (draft), Isaiah Todd (draft), Aaron Holiday (trade), Kyle Kuzma (trade), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade) and Montrezl Harrell (trade)
What to watch: Bradley Beal and the luxury tax
Washington overcame much adversity this past season to earn an appearance in the postseason, but Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard is not content being conservative with the roster. "This is not a run-it-back team," he said. "We have to get better." Sheppard justified that statement when he reached an agreement to trade trade Russell Westbrook to the Lakers for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and a first-round pick. The Wizards would also acquire Aaron Holiday from the Pacers and grab much needed shooting in Corey Kispert in the first round. The trades now have given the Wizards the ability to use their full $9.5 million midlevel exception and remain below the salary cap. Beal will reach 10 years of service in 2022 and as a result, can sign an extension worth 35% of the salary cap starting on Oct. 1. A four-year extension that starts in 2022-23 -- replacing his $36.4 million player option -- would have a starting salary of $40.5 million and be worth a total of $181.5 million over the life of the deal.
The Wizards are on the same financial playing field with an extension as a team that could sign Beal with cap space in 2022. Beal's total salary from a four-year extension would be only $7 million more than what he could get on a max contract from another team. Still, if Beal turns down the extension, the Wizards shouldn't take it as an indication that he wants out. He could prefer to play out the season and explore his options in 2022, when he could sign a new five-year deal with Washington worth a total of $54 million more. Declining the extension could simply be a smart financial decision.
Available exceptions: $9.5 million midlevel, $3.7 million biannual, veterans minimum and trade ($4.5, $2.2 and $1.1 million)
Note: The $143 million hard cap gets triggered if the Wizards use more than $5.9 million of their midlevel exception or they acquire a player in a sign-and-trade.
Room under the tax: $16.3 million
Under the hard cap: $26.6 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way contracts: 0
Team needs
Avdija and Hachimura to take a big step in their development
Wing defenders off the bench
Depth at point, shooting guard and small forward
Extension eligible: Bradley Beal, Thomas Bryant, Daniel Gafford, Aaron Holiday and Chandler Hutchison (rookie)
Free-agent status
Ish Smith | Early Bird
Isaac Bonga | Bird
Raul Neto | Non-Bird
Garrison Mathews | Restricted | Early Bird
Cassius Winston | Restricted | Non-Bird
MORE: Complete Wizards offseason guide
Bird rights explainer
Bird rights
A team can exceed the cap to sign a free agent who has played three consecutive seasons with his current team. Bird rights transfer to a new team in a trade.
Early Bird rights
Teams can exceed the cap to sign a player who has spent two consecutive seasons with a team (without being waived, carries over in a trade), but they are restricted to 175% of his previous salary or 105% of the average player salary. A team can exceed either limit with available cap space. A contract signed using the early Bird exception must be for a minimum of two years, not including options. It cannot exceed four years.
Non-Bird rights
A free agent who has played one season with a team can sign for 120% of his previous contract or 120% of the minimum salary exception. Teams can exceed either limit but only with cap space or an exception.
Restricted free agent
A free agent either coming off his first-round rookie contract or who has signed a three-year contract and has three or fewer years of service can be given a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. In that case, his current team would have the right to match any offer. If the player is coming off a one-year or two-year deal, the maximum salary in the first year on an offer sheet from another team cannot exceed the full midlevel.
NOTE: A first-round pick who had his third-year or fourth-year option in his rookie-scale contract declined cannot be extended a qualifying offer and becomes an unrestricted free agent. His current team is limited to offering a contract with a first-year salary worth up to the value of the declined option.