Apenas three NBA franchises — Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers — have salary cap space this summer. The remaining 11 teams only have the mid-level salary exception, limited to US$15 million per season. The restrictive scenario does not prevent aggressive moves, as Milwaukee Bucks demonstrated last offseason by freeing up space to sign Myles Turner, the only free agent to change teams with a starting salary above US$20 million.
The shortage of resources results from more than 60 players signing contract extensions in the last two years, both rookies and veterans. Sign-and-trade Negociações — when a player signs and is immediately traded — have become a common mechanism. Duncan Robinson, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson have used this model to change teams over the past two offseasons.
LeBron James seeks to stay at Los Angeles
LeBron James remains the top free agent on the market. The 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers point guard was named All-Star for the 23rd consecutive time — an all-time league record — and has averaged at least 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists per game for three straight seasons. Apenas Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers has scored more points on fast breaks this season than James.
Após March 1st, Lakers recorded 15 wins and 4 losses with James on the court, despite their average dropping below 20 points. Nos playoffs, without Luka Doncic, James led the team in the first round against Houston Rockets with an average of 23.1 points. Rob Pelinka, president of operations and general manager of Lakers, stated, “We have probably never seen a player who has honored the game as much as he has.”
Austin Reaves’s contract, recently renewed, reduces Lakers’s salary capacity. A one-year, $30 million proposal would allow renewal with Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura, freeing up $15 million in mid-level salary exception. Sem these two players, Lakers would have an additional US$ 20 million plus US$ 9.4 million in exception. James stated on his podcast “Mind the Game” that he hasn’t thought much about his decision yet, acknowledging that he can “control my own destiny.”
Sem James, Lakers would have salary cap space for the first time since 2019 if all three free agents signed for the veteran minimum — a scenario that would free up up to $50 million for market movement.
Norman Powell sees Miami as the best target
Miami Heat wing Norman Powell, projected to sign a three-year, $65 million contract with a team option for a third season, represents the second-highest free agent available. A starting salary of US$20 million would facilitate a possible negotiation involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, maintaining flexibility for reinforcements via salary exception.
Powell, at 32 years old, averaged 21.7 points this season — the highest of his career — but saw that number drop to 17.5 after All-Star Game. Ele has lost 24 games since the All-Star break in both recent seasons. Miami is $35 million below the first salary cap, including first-round pick and Tyler Herro’s bonus of $2.5 million.
CJ McCollum expects renewal with Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks point guard CJ McCollum, at 34, became a candidate for a two-year, $43 million extension. A starting salary of $20.7 million in year one would allow Atlanta to utilize much of his $15 million salary exception and remain under the cap.
In 41 games for the Hawks, McCollum scored 16.7 points with a +11.5 balance per possession. In the elimination series against Boston Celtics, he scored the second-highest points in the first three games in Hawks history, but saw his production drop to 11.3 points in the last three games, with just 1-for-8 on three-point shooting.
McCollum can sign an extension of up to three years worth $115.9 million by June 30. Esta will be his first opportunity as an unrestricted free agent after signing three previous extensions in his career.
Dinâmica of the market for the coming months
- Equipes with salary space:Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers
- Mecanismo main:Negociações “sign-and-trade”
- Exceção average salary:US$15 million (11 teams)
- Prazo for extensions:June 30, 2026
- Competitive Contexto:Primeira time since 2019 that Lakers would have free space without James
The free agent market for 2026 reflects a league with financial constraints, where creativity in operations determines future competitiveness. The possible departure of James from Lakers would open up never-before-explored scenarios, while renewals of Powell and McCollum will define the configuration of contending teams in Leste.
