The 2024 NBA offseason continues with free agency now here and teams are reshaping their rosters.
To illustrate what to expect this offseason, we’ve placed all 30 teams into six tiers, ranging from franchises that can easily generate salary cap space to those who are expected to be in the luxury tax — and potentially reach the punitive first- and second-apron levels.
We’ve also highlighted which players teams in each level could be targeting, while addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
Note: We are projecting whether player and team options will be exercised or declined and if non-guaranteed contracts will be guaranteed. This story has been updated with a players’ status change. The 2024 second-round picks and two-way players are not listed below.
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS
TIER 1: Salary cap space teams
Having significant salary cap space last offseason worked for a team like the Houston Rockets, who had $66 million in spending power in 2023. The additions of Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and Jock Landale — along with the hiring of coach Ime Udoka — saw the Rockets increase their win total from 22 to 41 games.
This offseason, the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz once again project to have financial flexibility, as do three playoff teams — the Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers have 2023 MVP Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey as selling points to free agents, or Philadelphia could be an ideal destination for a disgruntled All-Star wanting a new team. The Thunder have All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Orlando has All-Star forward Paolo Banchero.
A trend to monitor is whether rebuilding teams such as Detroit, Utah, or the San Antonio Spurs rent cap space out in trades. Last offseason, the Pistons acquired Joe Harris and Monte Morris and the Jazz brought in John Collins to help those players’ previous teams get cap relief.
Another example was the Thunder taking on Davis Bertans’ $17 million salary in 2023-24 from the Dallas Mavericks to move up two slots in the 2023 draft to select guard Cason Wallace.
One rule worth mentioning is that teams are required to spend 90% of the $141 million salary cap by the first day of the regular season. That would mean a team such as Detroit — which has $95 million in salary, including for its 2024 first-round pick and $28 million in non-guaranteed salaries — has to spend $126.9 million by Oct. 22.
If the Pistons fail to reach the minimum requirement by opening night, the difference will get distributed to their own players. Detroit would also forfeit receiving the end-of-season cash distribution to non-tax-paying teams, which is projected to be $11.7 million.
A team over the cap will also have the $8.1 million room mid level exception to use either to sign a player or acquire one in a trade once cap space is exhausted.
The cap space free agents below indicate players who project to sign for a contract for more than $13 million. A “player” designation means the player can opt in to a final year of his current deal.
, LeBron James was on the roster.
If Okoro does not return, the Cavaliers would have the $12.9 million nontax midlevel exception to replace him.
Free agents who fit: Paul George continues to hover over the Clippers. Although they become a tax and second-apron team if George re-signs (along with fellow free agent James Harden), the doomsday scenario comes if he walks for nothing. The Clippers would have access to the non-tax midclevel exception and also the ability to acquire a free agent in a sign-and-trade.
Free agents who fit: James Harden, Isaiah Hartenstein could be a roster casualty.
Free agents who fit: Simone Fontecchio, Kris Dunn, Caleb Martin declines his $7.1 million player option. However, by staying below the second apron, Miami would likely not only lose Martin but also free agent Haywood Highsmith.
Free agents who fit: Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith, Reggie Bullock, Joe Ingles, KJ Martin and
Who returns/joins: Evan Fournier, Goga Bitadze
Who returns/joins: , , Bol Bol, , , , Royce O’Neale, , ,
Who might be gone: ,
