The free agency opened to a blast this Sunday- more than $3 billion worth of contracts were handed out in just 8 hours. It is a complete frenzy, with about 50 free agent contracts already agreed in such a short period of team. And remember, no actual trade or signature can go through till after the moratorium period ends on July 6.
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All this trading will have made a serious dent on some team’s cap spaces, and would have increased other team’s. So, which teams still have some serious cap space left?
The LA teams lead the pack
As it turns out, both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers do have quite a bit of cap space left. And the reason behind that is clear- both the teams (along with the Toronto Raptors) are waiting on Kawhi Leonard to make a decision.
In fact, even after getting Patrick Beverley to return, the Clippers still have $41 million cap room left. ESNP’s Bobby Marks confirmed this figure.
The Patrick Beverley three-year $40M contract still has the Clippers positioned to have a max salary. Los Angeles now has $41M in room, including the free agent holds of Rodney McGruder and Ivica Zubac. https://t.co/GhrVuPapUD
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 1, 2019
The Lakers, meanwhile, currently have $32.2 million in cap space. But to lure Kawhi Leonard on a max contract, they would require $32.7 million. The franchise is hopeful that Kawhi Leonard will look past the $500,000, especially given the fact that a move to the Lakers, and playing alongside King James and Anthony Davis will provide him with marketing opportunities far eclipsing that figure.
Along with the cap space, the Lakers and Clippers both have $4.8 million room mid-level exception for adding players.
Dallas and New York not far behind
Following behind the LA clubs is Dallas, with $29 million. Then, next on the list are the New York Knicks, who have about $18 million left after the Reggie Bullock agreement. The Atlanta Hawks too still have a sizable $14 million left in cap space.
All the above mentioned teams can afford to take Goran Dragic. And, they can all be the third team in the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade to Miami, and hope to earn a sweetener in that deal.
