There are nine teams who project to have significant cap space during the 2026 offseason. Cap space will be more readily available next offseason than it was in 2025 after a 10 percent increase in the cap for this season and a projected seven percent increase for 2026-27, combined with fewer veteran extensions this year.
The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.
There were only three teams with salary cap space in 2025 in the Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets used their cap space to take on Michael Porter Jr. via trade, while the Grizzlies used theirs to sign a renegotiate-and-extend contract with Jaren Jackson Jr. The Bucks unexpectedly created cap space by using the stretch-and-waive on Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner.
From 2013-14 to 2019-20, the league went through a period with an average of 17 teams per year with cap space. Since then, the average has decreased to 5.1 teams.
The 2026 free agent class is expected to include Trae Young and LeBron James.
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