Here are the NBA teams that have the most cap space entering the 2023-24 season. The league’s salary cap is projected to reach $136 million, with a $165 million luxury tax.
In the 2022-23 season, each team signed players and made trades while operating under a salary cap of $123 million. Check out which NBA teams hold the most cap space as of October 2023.
5.) Indiana Pacers: -$3.54 million
Indiana had $32.15 million available to spend this offseason. At the moment, the Pacers are $3.54 million over the mark. Indiana’s total cap for the 2023-24 season is $139.56 million.
However, the Eastern Conference club is still in better shape than 25 other teams. In July, Tyrese Haliburton re-signed on a five-year, $205.9 million contract extension.
Other players signed include Jarace Walker (four years, $27.57 million) and Ben Sheppard (four years, $13.02 million). Plus, Bruce Brown Jr. (two years, $45 million) as well. Brown, 27, won an NBA championship with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets last season.
4.) Orlando Magic: -$3.33 million
Next, the Orlando Magic are over by $3.33 million. Orlando’s total cap is $139.35 million for the 2023-24 season. As a matter of fact, the Magic are just one of the few NBA teams with a bright future ahead, based on young talent alone.
Markelle Fultz is the highest-paid player on the Magic, with an estimated salary of $17 million for this upcoming season. Although Jonathan Isaac has a $17.4 million salary, this amount is only partially guaranteed.
The second-highest paid player is Wendell Carter Jr., who is set to earn $13.05 million in 2023-24. In July, the Magic signed Anthony Black (four years, $32.92 million) and Jett Howard (four years, $23.17 million). Joe Ingles (two years, $22 million) and Moritz Wagner (two years, $16 million) also inked deals.
3.) San Antonio Spurs: -$2.98 million
Additionally, the San Antonio Spurs held a budget of $37.47 million at the beginning of the 2023 offseason. As of October, the Spurs hold -$2.98 million in cap space. San Antonio’s total cap is almost $139.01 million. Keldon Johnson is the highest-paid player on the team, with a 2023-24 salary of $20 million.
The second-highest paid player is Doug McDermott. Likewise, No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is projected to make $12.16 million during his rookie season.
During the offseason, San Antonio reached deals with Julian Champagnie (four years, $12 million) and Tre Jones (two years, $19 million). Also, Sandro Mamukelashvili (one year, $2.02 million) and Sidy Cissoko (three years, $5.23 million).
On Oct. 3, the Spurs also inked Devin Vassell to a five-year, $135 million extension. The deal includes $11 million in incentives, bringing the max value to $146 million.
2.) Utah Jazz: $41,629
Furthermore, the Utah Jazz entered the 2023 offseason with $43.92 million in cap space. Now, they have $41,629 in cap space. The Western Conference team is only one of two teams that holds a positive net value cap-wise.
Utah’s total cap for 2023-24 is $135.97 million. John Collins is the highest-paid player on Jazz, with a 2023-24 salary of $25.34 million. The second-highest paid player is Jordan Clarkson, who is set to make $23.48 million this season.
Players to sign deals with offseason include Taylor Hendricks (four years, $25.35 million) and Keyonte George (four years, $18.82 million). Not to mention, Brice Sensabaugh (four years, $12.58 million) and Omer Yurtseven (two years, $5.45 million).
1.) Detroit Pistons: $314,985
Lastly, the Detroit Pistons held $27.81 million in cap space going into the 2023 offseason. After a series of trades and signings, Detroit now leads all other NBA teams in available cap, with a total of $314,985.
Does this mean the Pistons have the best-assembled roster? Not necessarily. Nevertheless, Detroit brass understands how to work around numbers.
Bojan Bogdanovic is the highest-paid Pistons player, with a 2023-24 salary of $20 million. Joe Harris is the second-highest paid player for this season, at $19.92 million.
Ausar Thompson (four years, $36.25 million), Marcus Sasser (four years, $13.46 million), and Isaiah Stewart (four years, $60 million) inked deals this offseason.
NBA team salary cap space entering 2023-24 season
NBA Team |
Salary Cap Space |
Total Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | $314,985 | $135,706,015 |
| Utah Jazz | $41,629 | $135,979,371 |
| San Antonio Spurs | -$2,985,389 | $139,006,389 |
| Orlando Magic | -$3,334,784 | $139,355,784 |
| Indiana Pacers | -$3,547,590 | $139,568,590 |
| Charlotte Hornets | -$4,785,141 | $140,806,141 |
| Houston Rockets | -$7,231,009 | $143,252,009 |
| Sacramento Kings | -$10,270,051 | $146,291,051 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | -$17,641,366 | $153,662,366 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -$20,835,564 | $156,856,564 |
| Atlanta Hawks | -$21,386,622 | $157,407,622 |
| New York Knicks | -$26,336,756 | $162,357,756 |
| Brooklyn Nets | -$29,816,800 | $165,837,800 |
| Toronto Raptors | -$30,123,199 | $166,144,199 |
| Chicago Bulls | -$33,313,876 | $169,334,876 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | -$34,996,314 | $171,017,314 |
| Dallas Mavericks | -$36,501,215 | $172,522,215 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -$38,183,524 | $174,204,524 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | -$44,458,335 | $180,479,335 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | -$44,498,100 | $180,519,100 |
| Washington Wizards | -$45,779,750 | $181,800,750 |
| Miami Heat | -$48,283,572 | $184,304,572 |
| Boston Celtics | -$49,261,252 | $185,282,252 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -$53,622,786 | $189,643,786 |
| Denver Nuggets | -$55,872,585 | $191,893,585 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | -$58,297,437 | $194,318,437 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | -$61,677,463 | $197,698,463 |
| Phoenix Suns | -$62,056,355 | $198,077,355 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | -$77,710,032 | $213,731,032 |
| Golden State Warriors | -$89,352,985 | $225,373,985 |
