Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
As the NBA Free Agency moratorium looms this primer offers a complete list of all teams and offers insight for the OKC Thunder and each NBA squad.
With the playoffs and draft complete the league moves into the guts of the offseason – NBA Free Agency. This segment of the calendar is arguably the most hectic and stressful as every squad has free agents in the mix, salary restrictions, and desires to improve their roster.
Over the last couple of days, fans got clarification on all players and team options. With few big-name stars available the fact both LeBron James and Paul George opted out has all NBA fans in full on speculation mode.
UPDATE: For Thunder Nation and NBA fans glued to their phones or NBA TV they learned Paul George announced he’ll re-sign even prior to the moratorium officially kicking off.
Salary Cap announcement:
UPDATED: Although the numbers were anticipated to be $101 million (M) with a tax threshold of $123 M the official numbers confirmed the exact figures.
NBA has informed teams of 2018-19 season salary cap and tax: New salary cap: $101.8M; Luxury Tax: $123M. Non-Tax Mid-level: $8.6M; Tax-payers mid-level: $5.3M; Room Mid-Level: $4.4M. Bi-annual: $3.4M
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
What this means is several teams enter the moratorium already exceeding the threshold. And, only a handful of teams enter the moratorium with open negotiating cap to parlay.
In a memo to teams, the NBA has NOT changed it's preseason salary cap projection, it remains at $101 mil for 2018-19 and 108 mil for 2019-20. Tax at $123 mil and $131 mil, respectively. Typically, there's variance in the pre/post projection but not this year
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 16, 2018
What does this mean for teams during NBA free agency? Well, for the OKC Thunder it puts them up against the wall since as you’ll note below the squad is already locked into contracts for nine players.
As Zach Lowe points out, however, the biggest takeaway may come in a buried tidbit of the financial news. And that means the cap will be higher than anticipated. This in turn already means before this 2018 NBA free agency begins we are already looking ahead to next summer.
It will also affect negotiations this summer as teams recognize they’ll have approximately a million extra to spend. than previously budgeted for. That may seem like a moot point, but I’ve witnessed teams release a player who earned minimal money just to get under the cap.
Very important information buried in the NBA's salary cap memo sent to teams: projection for 2019-20 cap up to $109 million, and then $116 million for 2020-21. Cap is set at $101.9M for upcoming 2018-19 season.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 1, 2018
Salary will limit majority of teams:
The OKC Thunder aren’t alone in their salary cap troubles. Very few teams enter this offseason with money to play with and even fewer have the cap available to sign free agents, particularly the big-name talents. And this fact is sure to create an interesting scenario for the 2018 NBA Free Agency period.
Salary influencing player options:
Although anything can happen with trades and signings we are anticipating a few differences to this summer. First of all, you’ve probably witnessed a bunch of players opting into their contracts in the last few days. In previous years many of these players would’ve elected to test the waters of free agency. But, with so few teams having available cap many are foregoing the process with the hope there will be more teams in the mix next summer.
The other action I’m expecting is for many of the bigger name talents to negotiate two-year contracts (or 1 plus 1). In this scenario, for example, Paul George could sign with the OKC Thunder (or LeBron could sign with a team) for two years with a player option in the second year. With the updated financial projections it only increases these odds.
In essence that would offer a secure one year period. This would allow George to see how the second year of the process in OKC plays out. Moreover, it should allow for greater competition for his services in 2019 when more teams can maneuver to free cap space.
And, there are hopes from the players that an influx of lottery money will find it’s way to teams meaning each franchise would get an uptick in available cash flow.
Offseason and free agency outline for every NBA team:
The team by team profiles offer the following segments:
Free Agents
Each squad’s free agents are listed and noted as restricted or unrestricted. Further clarification is provided for player or team options. The list reflects the status of all teams as NBA Free Agency launches at midnight Eastern. But, keep it bookmarked as frequent revisions will update throughout the process
Team Profile and Ranking:
A brief situational analysis by team is provided with emphasis on each of the following areas:
Key Ranking Stats to end season:
- Offense
- Defense
- Net
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26
Committed Salary
Average attendance
Attendance rank
Arena
Management and tenure:
- General Manager
- Head Coach
Salary Profile:
Each team’s current situation is outlined noting which members on the roster are locked in and total salary commitments.
Draft Picks:
Selections made in the recent June 21st NBA 2018 Draft (noted by pick and round).
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
A broad-based preview outlining key issues and opportunities accompanied by presumption and/or proposals on how teams might achieve their objectives. Rookie profiles and free agent previews are also contained (and will be added as completed).
The 30 team primer:
Let this primer serve as your one-stop shop. Bookmark this handy guide and please make a point of revisiting it frequently for ongoing updates and revisions which will keep you on top of every offseason move.
Note each team is listed alphabetically.