With one of the most critical times of the NBA year looming in free agency, the NBA has updated their salary cap accordingly. This is what determines how much a team can spend or afford not only in free agency but year round with their player’s contracts.
With the cap typically fluctuating slightly year-to-year, it will reportedly be set at $101.869 million for the 2018-19 season. The NBA announced the new cap in a press release:
The National Basketball Association today announced that the Salary Cap has been set at $101.869 million for the 2018-19 season. The tax level for the 2018-19 season is $123.733 million.
The Salary Cap and tax level go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 1, when the league’s “moratorium period” starts and teams can begin negotiating with free agents. The moratorium period ends at 12:01 p.m. ET on Friday, July 6.
The minimum team salary, which is set at 90% of the Salary Cap, is $91.682 million for the 2018-19 season.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported additional details regarding the cap.
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
With the NBA announcing the new salary cap on the eve of free agency, this could alter how some teams go after available players but not by much. ESPN’s Zach Lowe also reported the cap projections for the 2019-20 season and the 2020-21 season.
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
Most teams across the association already have an agenda for free agency set and though the cap saw minor alterations, it shouldn’t be drastic enough to make or break any franchise’s plans. That being said, it will still be interesting to see how teams maneuver their spending sprees throughout the summer.
