The NBA offseason has started in full and we have a much clearer picture of the big questions facing each franchise.
Which decisions on key players, trades and new contracts will be priorities? Let's run through all 30 teams.
Note: Depth charts include expected roles for players under contract in 2018-19. We've included an explainer for Bird rights at the end of the story.
Atlanta Hawks
Offseason focus
Trade cap space for draft assets: $20 million in room but limited roster spots
The future of Dennis Schroder: pending legal issue and arrival of Trae Young
Balancing the roster: 15 players under contract, nine of them guards
Exceptions
Room midlevel: $4.4 million
Cap-space breakdown
Dewayne Dedmon and Mike Muscala exercising their options for next season leaves Atlanta with $20 million in cap space.
The Hawks do have two non-guaranteed contracts in Antonius Cleveland and Jaylen Morris. The Hawks could create an additional $4 million in room if both are waived.
Team needs
Starting: None
Backup: SF
Free-agent status
Malcolm Delaney | Restricted early Bird rights
Damion Lee | Restricted non-Bird rights
Boston Celtics
Offseason focus
Marcus Smart's restricted free agency
The cost to acquire Kawhi Leonard: Young players and draft picks
Close to untouchable: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
Take a cautious approach with Terry Rozier in rookie extension talks
The health of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Note: The Celtics will likely have only the $5.3 million taxpayer midlevel exception available if Marcus Smart is signed.
Cap-space breakdown
Boston starts free agency over the cap with $106 million in guaranteed contracts and 12 players under contract.
The Celtics have three players -- Daniel Theis, Abdel Nader and Semi Ojeleye -- with partial or non-guaranteed contracts. Theis will have his salary guaranteed July 10, Ojeleye on July 15 and Nader on Aug. 1. Nader has $450K guaranteed and Ojeleye $901K.
Keep an eye on the finances for 2019. Boston will have Irving and Rozier up for new contracts next summer (if they don't sign extensions in 2018), with Brown becoming extension eligible as well. Al Horford could also opt out of his contract and become a free agent in 2019.
Is a superstar trade worth losing Tatum or Brown? Why trade a player on a rookie contract who has the upside of a franchise player but costs $25 million less?
Note: The Celtics cannot acquire a player like Anthony Davis because of the Rose rule. Boston is allowed to trade for only one player (Kyrie Irving) that was signed with the Rose rule.
Team needs
Starting: None
Backup: SG, SF
Free-agent status
Marcus Smart | Restricted Bird
Aron Baynes | Non-Bird
Shane Larkin | Non-Bird
Greg Monroe | Non-Bird
Jonathan Gibson | Restricted Non-Bird
Brooklyn Nets
Offseason focus
The crowded backcourt: Find a new home for Jeremy Lin
Find a mutual compromise with free agent Joe Harris
Team-friendly approach with extension talks: D'Angelo Russell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Spencer Dinwiddie
Waiting on the summer of 2019: Potential for two max slots
Exceptions
Room: $4.4 million
Cap-space breakdown
The potential buyout of Dwight Howard will dictate what Brooklyn has with cap space this summer. The Nets could see their projected $4 million in room double if Howard elects to take a haircut off his $23.8 million salary.
The Nets do still have the Joe Harris FA hold counting against the cap and can use room before signing the guard to exceed the cap. If Harris signs with a new team, Brooklyn will gain $1.5 million in additional cap space.
Former second-round pick Isaiah Whitehead's $1.5 million contract will become guaranteed if he is not waived by June 30.
Expect the Nets to use part of their cap space to sign second-round pick Rodions Kurucs to a multi-year contract.
Second-rounder: Rodions Kurucs (SF)
Team needs
Starting: None
Backup: SG, PF, C
Free-agent status
Jahlil Okafor | Fourth-year restriction
Nik Stauskas | Restricted Bird
Joe Harris | Early Bird
Quincy Acy | Early Bird
Dante Cunningham | Non-Bird
Charlotte Hornets
Offseason focus
The future of Kemba Walker: Free agent in 2019
The priority at backup point guard: Free agency or the trade market?
The summer of development: Malik Monk and Miles Bridges
The new basketball operations structure: Mitch Kupchak and James Borrego
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6 million
Bi-annual: $3.4 million
Trade: $7.8 million
Cap-space breakdown
Shedding the Dwight Howard contract will give the Hornets flexibility when it comes to the luxury tax. Before the trade, Charlotte would have been a tax team after filling out its roster. The Hornets now are $11 million below the line with 13 players under contract.
Using its midlevel and bi-annual exceptions would not only hard cap the team but put the Hornets right at the tax. Expect the Hornets to use $5 million of the midlevel to target a backup PG and also sign second-round pick Devonte' Graham. Signing Graham to a contract of more than two years will require the Hornets to use part of the midlevel exception.
Backup guard Julyan Stone's $1.7 million contract will become guaranteed if not waived by Aug. 1.
Second-rounder: Devonte' Graham (PG)
Team needs
Starting: None
Backup: PG
Free-agent status
Treveon Graham | Early Bird
Michael Carter-Williams | Non-Bird
Chicago Bulls
Offseason focus
Find middle ground with Zach LaVine in restricted free agency
Turn cap space into draft assets or accelerate the rebuild and add win-now pieces
Keep an eye on the roster: 12 guaranteed contracts and 2 non-guaranteed
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $8.9M, $1.4M
The Bulls will have the $4.4 million room midlevel if they decide to use cap space.
Cap-space breakdown
Including their free agent cap holds, Chicago will enter the summer with $11.6 million in cap space.
Remove the Noah Vonleh $10.5 million hold and room will increase to $21.6 million.
Chicago can create an additional $3.5 million in room by waiving the non-guaranteed contracts of Sean Kilpatrick and Paul Zipser. Zipser's $1.5 million contract will become guaranteed on July 18.
Expect Chicago to continue to operate over the cap.
Team needs
Starting: SG
Backup: None
Free-agent status
Zach LaVine | Restricted Bird
Noah Vonleh | Restricted Bird
David Nwaba | Restricted early Bird
Cleveland Cavaliers
Offseason focus
Waiting on LeBron James: Have a plan B if he leaves
The resources to improve: Tax midlevel and minimum exceptions
Turning value out of the 2019-20 partially guaranteed contracts: George Hill, Kyle Korver and JR Smith
Explore an extension with Kevin Love even if James departs
The restricted free agency of Rodney Hood
The finances of keeping the team together: $250M total costs
Exceptions
Tax midlevel: $5.3M
Trade: $5.8M, $2.5M, $1.5M, $1.3M
*If James leaves, Cleveland could have the $8.6 million non-tax exception and $3.4 million bi-annual exception. Availability will be based on the restricted free agency of Rodney Hood.
Cap-space breakdown
If LeBron returns, expect the Cavaliers payroll to be at $147 million with a luxury tax bill of $82 million. The cost does not factor in Hood.
Without James, Cleveland will still be over the salary cap with $110 million in salary (not including Hood) and the $8.6 million non-tax midlevel and $3.4 million biannual exceptions available.
The $1.5 million contract of Okaro White will have $794K guaranteed if he is not waived by Aug. 5.
Team needs
Starting: SG, SF
Backup: None
Free-agent status
LeBron James | Bird
Rodney Hood | Restricted Bird
Jeff Green | Non-Bird
Jose Calderon | Non-Bird
Dallas Mavericks
Offseason focus
Take an aggressive approach with cap space: $27 million in room
Focus on the free-agent bigs: DeAndre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins, Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon
The future of Dirk Nowitzki: Decline his team option with a focus on the room midlevel exception
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
*Dallas will have the $4.4 million room midlevel exception if it decides to use cap space.
Cap-space breakdown
With Wesley Matthews opting in, Dallas is right at the salary cap with $100 million in salary, including free-agent cap holds and non-guaranteed contracts.
How the Mavericks elect to create cap space will come down to their own free agents, most notably restricted free-agent Doug McDermott and his $10 million free agent hold.
Releasing the McDermott and Nerlens Noel holds would see the Mavericks create $18 million in room.
By releasing Seth Curry's hold ($3.9 million) and declining Nowitzki's team option, the Mavericks would enter free agency with $25.5 million in room. This includes the $2.9 million hold of restricted free agent Yogi Ferrell.
Dallas can create an additional $1.3 million in room if Dorian Finney-Smith and Kyle Collinsworth are waived. The $1.4 million contract for Finney-Smith will be guaranteed if he is not waived by July 5. Collinsworth has $100K guaranteed if he is on the roster past the July 5. Expect backup Maxi Kleber to be on the roster past his July 15 cut date.
Expect the Mavericks to use a portion of their cap space to sign second-round pick Jalen Brunson to a contract comparable to a first-round rookie scale salary.
Second-rounders: Jalen Brunson (PG), Ray Spalding (PF), Kostas Antetokounmpo (PF)
Team needs
Starting: PF, C
Backup: SG. SF
Free-agent status
Nerlens Noel | Bird
Dirk Nowitzki | Bird
Seth Curry | Early Bird
Yogi Ferrell | Restricted early Bird
Doug McDermott | Restricted Bird
Salah Mejri | Restricted Bird
Aaron Harrison | Non-Bird
Denver Nuggets
Offseason focus
The Nikola Jokic contract: Projected $147 million max contract
Creating flexibility for Will Barton: Significant tax penalty if he is re-signed
The overload at power forward: Find a new home for Kenneth Faried
Don't panic about finances: $35M salary off the books in 2019
Playoffs or bust next season? Two straight finishes at No. 9 in the Western Conference.
Exceptions
Tax: $5.3 million
Cap-space breakdown.
Barring a trade, Denver will be a luxury-tax team for the first time since 2009-10. Not including a new contract for Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have $108 million committed in salaries -- a figure that will increase to $133 million ($12 million over the tax) once Jokic likely signs a max contract.
How the Nuggets elect to create savings will depend on if they can unload the expiring contract of Faried, Wilson Chandler or Darrell Arthur. The Nuggets also have the stretch provision available to waive either player.
Unrestricted free agent Will Barton could be a cap casualty because of the high payroll. Despite having Bird rights, the cost of signing Barton could add an additional $22 million in tax penalties if the guard is signed to a conservative $8 million annual salary.
Second-rounders: Jarred Vanderbilt (PF) and Thomas Welsh (C)
Team needs
Starting: SF, C
Backup: PG, SG
Free-agent status
Will Barton | Bird
Nikola Jokic | Restricted Bird
Devin Harris | Bird
Richard Jefferson | Non-Bird
Detroit Pistons
Offseason focus
The structure of basketball operations: New front office and head coach
Making the pieces work: Reggie Jackson, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond
Internal growth of former first-round picks: Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson and Luke Kennard
Creativity with the bench: Limited flexibility
Establish a budget: Potential luxury-tax team
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Trade: $7.0M, $1.5M and $1.3M
Cap-space breakdown
With Griffin under contract for the next four years, Detroit will be faced with staying under the $123 million luxury tax. The Pistons project to be $5 million below the tax with 12 players under contract.
Expect the $2.5 million Reggie Bullock contract to become guaranteed once July 15 passes. The $1.8 million contract of Eric Moreland will be guaranteed $750K if he is not waived by July 8 and the $1.6 million Dwight Buycks cap hit becomes guaranteed on Sept. 1.
The draft night acquisition of Bruce Brown and Khyri Thomas saved the Pistons $1.2 million toward the luxury tax. Because both players are second-round picks, their likely minimum contracts are cheaper than those of veterans. The Pistons can sign either player to a contract greater than two years but would have to use part of the midlevel exception.
Second-rounders: Bruce Brown (SG), Khyri Thomas (SG)
Team needs
Starting: None
Backup: PG, C
Free-agent status
Jameer Nelson | Non-Bird
Anthony Tolliver | Non-Bird
James Ennis | Early Bird
Golden State Warriors
Offseason focus
The structure of a new Kevin Durant contract: Short- or long-term?
Building the bench: Six free agents (not including KD)
The budget approved by ownership: Cost of the luxury tax
Block out distractions: Klay Thompson (free agent in 2019) and Draymond Green (2020) are unlikely to agree to extensions
Exception
Tax: $5.3 million
Cap-space breakdown
For the third consecutive year, Golden State will be a tax team.
Signing Durant to a max contract and filling out the bench with minimum contracts would have the payroll at $147 million and a luxury tax bill of $60 million.
Using the $5.3 million tax midlevel would add another $17 million to their tax bill. The tax bill could rise if they elect to bring back restricted free agent Patrick McCaw on a contract greater than the minimum exception.
Team needs
Starting: C
Backup: PF
Free-agent status
Kevin Durant | Early Bird (player option)
Nick Young | Non-Bird
Zaza Pachulia | Early Bird
JaVale McGee | Early Bird
Kevon Looney | Fourth-year restriction
Patrick McCaw | Restricted early Bird
David West | Early Bird
Houston Rockets
Offseason focus
Don't underestimate the front office: Creative math in free agency or trades
The structure of a new Chris Paul contract: Max contract ... but four or five years?
Don't let Clint Capela shop for an offer sheet: Aggressive approach on the first day of free agency
The luxury-tax impact of signing Trevor Ariza: Could cost $20 million or more
Exceptions
Tax midlevel: $5.3M
Cap-space breakdown
Despite having only $77.5 million in guaranteed contracts, Houston projects to be a luxury-tax team once Paul and Capela are signed. Expect payroll to range between $140 million and $150 million with Paul signed at the max and Capela at a starting salary of $20 million.
Bringing back Ariza on a contract that starts at $8 million would add an additional $27 million in luxury-tax costs.
The Rockets could create tax savings but that would require either finding a home for the $40 million owed to Ryan Anderson or waiving and stretching his salary over five seasons.
For the Rockets to sign second-round picks De'Anthony Melton or Vincent Edwards to contracts of more than two seasons, Houston would have to use a portion of its midlevel.
Second-rounders: De'Anthony Melton (PG), Vincent Edwards (PF)
Team needs
Starting: PG, PF, C
Backup: PG, PF
Free-agent status
Chris Paul | Bird
Trevor Ariza | Bird
Clint Capela | Restricted Bird
Tarik Black | Non-Bird
Luc Mbah a Moute | Non-Bird
Gerald Green | Non-Bird
Joe Johnson | Non-Bird
Indiana Pacers
Offseason focus
Manage expectations: They jumped from projected lottery team to the No. 5 seed
Free-agent shopping for bench support: Projected $22 million in room
Keep an eye on 2019: Only Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Aaron Holiday and T.J. Leaf are under contract
Patience with the rookie extension of Myles Turner: Take advantage of his $10.3 million cap hold
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Cap-space breakdown
Despite Thaddeus Young opting into his $13.9 million contract, Indiana still has the flexibility to create more than $20 million in room. The available space takes into account Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic both having their contracts guaranteed for next season.
How the Pacers get to the near max slot will depend on the $10 million partially guaranteed contract of Al Jefferson and renouncing their own free-agent cap holds, including Lance Stephenson. If Jefferson is waived by his July 2 guarantee date, expect his $4 million owed to be stretched over the next three seasons.
One area to watch is the available roster spots. Including Holiday, Indiana would have 12 players under contract.
Team needs
Starter: None
Bench: SG, SF
Free-agent status
Trevor Booker | Non-Bird
Lance Stephenson | Early Bird
Joe Young | Bird
LA Clippers
Offseason focus
Player development 101 in rookie guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson
Use 2018-19 as a bridge year to 2019: $60 million in projected room next summer
The X factor: Keeping Danilo Gallinari healthy
The roster flexibility: 15 players under contract (including eight guards)
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $1.6M, $1.5M and $1.3M
Cap-space breakdown
With DeAndre Jordan declining his $24.1 million player option, LA is right at the salary cap.
The Clippers can stay at the cap and take advantage of exceptions or waive the non-guaranteed contracts of Patrick Beverley, Milos Teodosic and CJ Williams. Waiving all three players only would leave the Clippers with $13 million, similar to both exceptions combined.
The contract for Teodosic has $2.1 million in salary protection and becomes guaranteed if the guard is not waived by July 15.
The Clippers project to have room for two max free agents in 2019.
Team needs
Starter: None
Bench: SF, PF
Free-agent status
Montrezl Harrell | Restricted Bird
Avery Bradley | Bird
Milos Teodosic | Restricted non-Bird
DeAndre Jordan | Bird
Los Angeles Lakers
Offseason focus
$65 million in cap space for two max contracts
Have restricted free agent Julius Randle on speed dial: Primary focus if the top free agents do not sign
Have a Plan B: One-year contracts and roll over cap space to 2019
Waiting on Kawhi: Either in the trade market or waiting until free agency
The cost of trading Luol Deng: First-round pick(s)?
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $1.6M
*Will have the $4.4 million room midlevel available if the Lakers are under the cap.
Cap-space breakdown
No team has more options when it comes to building its roster than the Lakers.
Los Angeles can choose four different paths:
Create two maximum-salary slots but at the expense of Randle, while also stretching the $37 million owed to Deng
Create two maximum-salary slots, retain Randle but deplete draft assets by trading Deng
Sign one max player, retain Randle and roll over cap space until 2019
Sign free agents or acquire players on one-year contracts, retain flexibility and wait until 2019
Second-rounders: Isaac Bonga (SG), Sviatoslav Mykhailuk (SF)
Team needs
Starter: SG, C
Bench: PG, SF, C
Free-agent status
Brook Lopez | Bird
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Non-Bird
Julius Randle | Restricted Bird
Isaiah Thomas | Bird
Channing Frye | Bird
Travis Wear | Restricted Bird
Andre Ingram | Restricted Bird
Memphis Grizzlies
Offseason focus
Full year with coach JB Bickerstaff: Priority in player development
Be honest with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol about the process of a rebuild
The realization with Chandler Parsons: Best suited coming off the bench, if healthy
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Trade: $3.4M, $1.7M
Cap-space breakdown
The Grizzlies will enter free agency over the salary cap with $112 million in salary and 14 players under contract. The Grizzlies do have three players -- Andrew Harrison, Wayne Selden and Omari Johnson -- that have a partial or non-guaranteed contract. Selden's $1.5 million contract will become fully guaranteed if he is not waived by July 10.
Operating over the cap will come with restrictions like last summer, as the Grizzlies will only have the $8.6 million midlevel exception available. Like former second-round pick Deyonta Davis, expect Memphis to use part of their its midlevel to sign second-rounder Jevon Carter to a contract that exceeds two years.
The Grizzlies do not have the $3.4 million bi-annual exception based on the Tyreke Evans signing last July. Teams are prohibited from using the bi-annual in consecutive seasons.
Second-rounder: Jevon Carter (PG)
Team needs
Starter: SG
Bench: None
Free-agent status
Tyreke Evans | Non-Bird
Mario Chalmers | Non-Bird
Miami Heat
Offseason focus
The cost of being a playoff team: Now pressed against the luxury tax
The future of Hassan Whiteside: Is he a long-term piece?
Creating flexibility to bring back Wayne Ellington
The Justise Winslow rookie extension
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $1.4M
Note: Using the full $8.6 million exception would trigger the $129 million hard cap.
Cap-space breakdown
After spending the past two offseasons chasing Kevin Durant and Gordon Hayward, Miami will not be an active participant when it comes to the likes of LeBron James or Paul George.
The free-agent spending last summer and the increase in the Tyler Johnson contract has the Heat with nine players comprising $118 million in guaranteed contracts, $5 million below the luxury tax.
Miami likely will have only the $8.6 million non-tax midlevel exception and $3.4 million bi-annual exception to use. However, the Heat will be hard capped if they use more than $5.2 million of the midlevel.
Team needs
Starter: None
Bench: SG
Free-agent status
Wayne Ellington | Early Bird
Udonis Haslem | Bird
Dwyane Wade | Non-Bird
Luke Babbitt | Non-Bird
Milwaukee Bucks
Offseason focus
Finding help for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton
The complex restricted free agency of Jabari Parker
The expiring contract of Eric Bledsoe
The overload at guard: Four PGs not including Malcolm Brogdon
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $3.4M and $1.9M
Cap-space breakdown
Unless the Bucks shake up their roster, expect the team to enter July 1 over the cap with a projected $103 million and 13 players under contract.
Even if Jabari Parker is not brought back, Milwaukee will have only the $8.6 million midlevel exception and $3.4 million bi-annual exception to use to sign players.
The $2.2 million Brandon Jennings contract will be guaranteed if he is not waived by July 1.
The $10.5 million owed to Mirza Teletovic that was eventually stretched with a $3.5 million cap over the next three seasons will be off the books starting Nov. 7.
Team needs
Starter: PF, C
Bench: SF, PF
Free-agent status
Jabari Parker | Restricted Bird
Shabazz Muhammad | Non-Bird
Jason Terry | Bird
Minnesota Timberwolves
Offseason focus
Change the bench narrative: Selling a real role in free agency with limited resources
The structure of a Karl-Anthony Towns extension
The future finances: Three max contracts in 2019?
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Cap-space breakdown
With Jamal Crawford opting out and Cole Aldrich being waived, Minnesota has $112 million in salary with five roster spots open. Aldrich was owed $6.9 million and the Wolves will incur a $2 million cap hit.
Minnesota has the $8.6 million non-taxpayer midlevel or $3.4 million bi-annual exceptions, but using the full exception (or anything more than $5.3 million) would hard cap the Wolves and likely put them in the tax once the remainder of the roster is filled out.
Expect Minnesota to use a portion of the non-tax midlevel to sign Keita Bates-Diop to a contract that exceeds two seasons.
Second-rounder: Keita Baties-Diop (SF)
Team needs
Starter: None
Bench: SG, SF, PF
Free-agent status
Jamal Crawford | Non-Bird
Derrick Rose | Non-Bird
Aaron Brooks | Non-Bird
Marcus Georges-Hunt | Non-Bird
Nemanja Bjelica | Restricted Bird
Amile Jefferson | Non-Bird
New Orleans Pelicans
Offseason focus
The free-agent options for DeMarcus Cousins (short-term deal or sign-and-trade?)
Current roster + Cousins = Luxury-tax team
The free-agent priority of Rajon Rondo: Tax midlevel if Cousins returns
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $3.8M, $2.3M, $2.1M and $1.5M
*Cousins' salary will impact either exception the Pelicans will have.
Cap-space breakdown
Bringing Cousins back on a max contract would leave New Orleans with a projected $132 million in salary -- $9 million over the tax threshold with a tax penalty of $14.5 million. That number will increase to $23.7 million if Rondo signs for the midlevel and the Pelicans could only offer second-round pick Tony Carr a two-year contract.
Letting Cousins go would keep the Pelicans under the tax but only with the $8.6 million midlevel and $3.4 million bi-annual exceptions to use.
The Pelicans do have four players -- Darius Miller, Emeka Okafor, Cheick Diallo and DeAndre Liggins -- with partial or non-guaranteed contracts. Miller's $2.2 million cap hit will have $300K protected if he is not waived by June 28 and it becomes fully guaranteed on July 24.
Second-rounder: Tony Carr (PG)
Team needs
Starter: SF
Bench: PG, PF, C
Free-agent status
DeMarcus Cousins | Bird
Ian Clark | Non-Bird
Rajon Rondo | Non-Bird
Jordan Crawford | Early Bird
New York Knicks
Offseason focus
Embrace the rebuild: Realistic expectations with the roster
Focus on development: Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Frank Ntilikina
Identify the value of Courtney Lee: Two years, $24 million left on his contract
Patience with Kristaps Porzingis: Rehab and extension talks
Find a resolution with Joakim Noah
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $1.4M
Cap-space breakdown
With Enes Kanter exercising his $18.6 million player option, New York will be right at the salary cap when free agency begins.
Troy Williams' and Trey Burke's non-guaranteed deals leave the Knicks with only two open roster spots. It is expected that second-round pick Mitchell Robinson will fill one of the remaining openings, with New York using a portion of its $8.6 million midlevel to sign him.
Despite Kyle O'Quinn opting out of his contract, New York has his Bird rights and can exceed the cap to bring him back.
Second-rounder: Mitchell Robinson (C)
Team needs
Starter: PG
Bench: SF, PF, C
Free-agent status
Kyle O'Quinn | Bird
Michael Beasley | Non-Bird
Jarrett Jack | Non-Bird
Oklahoma City Thunder
Offseason focus
The options for Paul George: Five-year max, short-term deal, sign-and-trade?
Cost of George returning: $115 million luxury tax (at the minimum)
Improving the bench but at the expense of Jerami Grant?
Have a contingency plan if George does not return
Exceptions
Tax: $5.3M
Trade: $2.5M and $1.5M
Cap-space breakdown
With or without Paul George, the Thunder are heading toward the luxury tax for the fourth time in five seasons.
If George returns, Oklahoma City will have a payroll of $151 million and a tax bill of $104 million. That includes filling the bench with their three second-round picks and one minimum contract.
The Thunder will likely lose Grant to free agency. Bringing back the forward would add around $53 million in combined salary and taxes for one year.
If George leaves, bringing back Grant certainly helps but still pushes OKC into the tax anyway.
The Thunder can save $11 million by signing their second-round picks instead of free agents to the minimum exception.
Second-rounders: Devon Hall (PG), Hamidou Diallo (SG) and Kevin Hervey (SF)
Team needs
Starter: SF, PF
Bench: PG, C
Free-agent status
Paul George | Bird
Jerami Grant | Bird
Josh Huestis | Fourth year restriction
Raymond Felton | Non-Bird
Orlando Magic
Offseason focus
The cost of restricted free agent Aaron Gordon
Turning value from the expiring contracts: Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic
Finding a solution at point guard
The development of Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Cap space
The Magic will need to weigh the value of creating cap space against returning the same roster.
By virtue of the Aaron Gordon $16.5 million cap hold, Orlando will enter the summer over the projected $101 million cap.
Letting Gordon walk (unlikely) would leave Orlando with only $15.9 million in room.
The Magic do have the flexibility to create room if needed because of the expiring contracts of Vucevic and Ross. Both players combine to earn $22.8 million in 2018.
Second-rounders: Melvin Frazier (SF) and Justin Jackson (SF)
Team needs
Starter: PG, PF
Bench: SG
Free-agent status
Aaron Gordon | Restricted Bird
Arron Afflalo | Non-Bird
Mario Hezonja | Fourth year Restriction
Marreese Speights | Non-Bird
Philadelphia 76ers
Offseason focus
Stability in basketball operations: What's next for the front office?
Big game hunting in free agency and trade market
The cost of trading for Kawhi Leonard: Comfort level long-term despite his expiring contract?
Don't be afraid to roll over cap space to 2019
The summer of Markelle Fultz
Follow the blueprint from 2017-18: Target veteran shooters
The unbalanced roster: Five point guards (not including Shake Milton)
Exceptions
Room: $4.4M
Cap-space breakdown
The 76ers can create up to $26 million in cap space and go free-agent shopping or roll over the room to 2019 and sign players to one-year contracts now, similar to the JJ Redick deal last season.
Philadelphia can create up to $33 million by declining Richaun Holmes' options and stretching the Jerryd Bayless contract. Trading Bayless by attaching a draft asset would get the 76ers to $35 million in room.
Second-rounder: Shake Milton (PG)
Team needs
Starter: SG
Bench: SG, PF
Free-agent status
JJ Redick | Non-Bird
Amir Johnson | Non-Bird
Ersan Ilyasova | Non-Bird
Marco Belinelli | Non-Bird
Phoenix Suns
Offseason focus
Resetting the culture: 170-plus losses in three seasons
Player development is key with new coach Igor Kokoskov
The evaluation of the roster: Expiring contracts and former picks that don't fit become trade bait
Waiting on a Devin Booker extension (creating flexibility in 2019)
The return of Brandon Knight
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Cap-space breakdown
Over the salary cap when free agency begins, Phoenix would need to renounce its own free agents (Elfrid Payton and Alex Len) and waive Alan Williams, Shaquille Harrison and Davon Reed to create space. All three transactions would leave the Suns with $18.5 million in room.
Phoenix does have the expiring contracts of Tyson Chandler ($13.5 million) and Jared Dudley ($9.5 million) to use in a trade if cap space is needed.
Second-rounder: Elie Okobo (PG)
Team needs
Starter: PG, PF, C
Bench: PG
Free-agent status
Alex Len | Bird
Elfrid Payton | Restricted Bird
Portland Trail Blazers
Offseason focus
Don't overreact about the roster after getting swept in the first round
Take advantage of trade exceptions
The cost of restricted free agents: Jusuf Nurkic, Shabazz Napier and Pat Connaughton
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $12.9M and $3.5M
Note: Using more than $5.2 million of the non-tax midlevel will trigger the $129 million hard cap.
Cap-space breakdown
Already with $112 million in guaranteed contracts, Portland is $11 million below the tax threshold and will only have the $5.3 million tax midlevel exception available in free agency due to cap holds on its restricted free agents. Expect Portland to use a portion of the exception to sign second-round pick Gary Trent Jr. to a contract for more than two years.
If Portland is going to make roster changes it will have to be done with a trade (involving either a current player or an exception).
Portland has until June 30 to guarantee the $1.5 million contract of Jake Layman and July 19 for Wade Baldwin and Georgios Papagiannis.
Second-rounder: Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Team needs
Starter: C
Bench: PG, SF, PF
Free-agent status
Ed Davis | Bird
Pat Connaughton | Restricted Bird
Jusuf Nurkic | Restricted Bird
Shabazz Napier | Restricted Bird
Sacramento Kings
Offseason focus
Communicate with free agents: Set the expectations of a rebuild
The return of Harry Giles (like adding an extra lottery pick if healthy)
Follow the Warriors' model in 2019: Rebuild with draft picks and keep cap space for free agents
Exception
Room: $4.4M
Cap-space breakdown
With 14 players under contract, the Kings enter the offseason with $17 million in room.
Unlike last July when Sacramento took an aggressive approach, signing George Hill, Vince Carter and Zach Randolph, the Kings should take advantage of their room by not signing free agents but taking on salary dumps to acquire future first-round picks.
Team needs
Starter: SF
Bench: PF
Free-agent status
Vince Carter | Non-Bird
Bruno Caboclo | Restricted Bird
Iman Shumpert | Bird (player option)
San Antonio Spurs
Offseason focus
The future of Kawhi Leonard: Eligible for $219 million extension or explore the trade market. When is the point of no return?
Kawhi trade packages: Stay competitive or look to rebuild?
The restricted free agents: Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Cap-space breakdown
The Spurs are not operating from a position of strength this summer when it comes to flexibility.
Though the front office has shown to be creative in the past in creating cap space, San Antonio will enter the offseason with $95 million in guaranteed contracts. This does not include the $8 million in salary holds on restricted free agents.
For San Antonio to create room, Pau Gasol and Danny Green would have to be traded and their free-agent holds would need to be renounced. The Spurs would have close to $32 million in room in this scenario.
Second-rounder: Chimezie Metu (PF)
Team needs
Starter: C
Bench: PF
Free-agent status
Rudy Gay | Non-Bird (player option)
Joffrey Lauvergne | Non-Bird
Tony Parker | Bird
Kyle Anderson | Restricted Bird
Davis Bertans | Restricted early Bird
Bryn Forbes | Restricted early Bird
Toronto Raptors
Offseason focus
The priority of restricted free agent Fred VanVleet
Content with the $20 million-plus players? (Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka)
The cost of the roster: Luxury tax team in 2018-19
Exceptions
Tax midlevel: $5.3M
Trade: $11.8M, $6.1M and $2.4M
Cap-space breakdown
The cost of free-agent spending in 2017 and the $42 million Norman Powell extension will likely have the Raptors in the tax.
Before free agency begins, Toronto has $126 million in guaranteed salary, $3 million above the tax threshold with the pending free agency of VanVleet looming.
Bringing back VanVleet would cost Toronto at least $8.6 million in salary and an additional $14 million in luxury taxes.
Team needs
Starter: None
Bench: PG, SG
Free-agent status
Lucas Nogueira | Restricted Bird
Fred VanVleet | Restricted early Bird
Lorenzo Brown | Non-Bird
Utah Jazz
Offseason focus
How much of a priority is Derrick Favors?
Explore extension talks with Ricky Rubio
Use the rookie scale as a comp for restricted free agent Dante Exum's new deal
The non-guaranteed contracts: Jonas Jerebko, Ekpe Udoh, Thabo Sefolosha
Exceptions
Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M
Bi-annual: $3.4M
Trade: $3.7 and $2.4M
Cap-space breakdown
The $32 million in free-agent holds of Favors and Exum has the Jazz over the cap despite only $75 million in guaranteed salary.
Letting both players go (unlikely) and releasing the three players on non-guaranteed contracts would leave Utah with $26 million in cap space.
Expect the Jazz to operate over the salary cap and have their two exceptions available.
Team needs
Starter: PF
Bench: PG
Free-agent status
Derrick Favors | Bird
Raul Neto | Restricted Bird
Dante Exum | Restricted Bird
Washington Wizards
Offseason focus
The costs associated with keeping this roster together (luxury-tax team for a second straight season)
The expiring contract of Markieff Morris
The limited flexibility in free agency
Exceptions
Tax: $5.3M
Trade: $1.3M, $959K
Cap-space breakdown
The Wizards took a step toward reducing their luxury tax for next season when they shipped Marcin Gortat to the Clippers in exchange for Austin Rivers, shaving some salary ($1 million) and projected luxury tax ($1.4 million). Like Gortat, Rivers is in the last year of his contract.
The Wizards have $127 million in guaranteed salary, $4 million above the tax threshold.
The $5.4 million tax penalty projects to jump to $13 million if minimum-salary free agents are signed to the remaining three roster spots. Using the full tax midlevel exception would cost the Wizards an additional $8 million in penalties.
Washington will get tax relief when Jodie Meeks serves the remainder of his suspension. The projected tax credit will save Washington $500K.
Keep in mind also that John Wall's supermax extension signed last summer does not kick in until 2019-20.
The Wizards project to be over the salary cap in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Second-rounder: Issuf Sanon (SG)
Team needs
Starter: C
Bench: SG, PF
Free-agent status
Tim Frazier | Early Bird
Chris McCullough | Fourth year restriction
Mike Scott | Non-Bird
Ramon Sessions | Non-Bird
Bird rights explainer
Bird rights
A team can exceed the cap to sign a free agent who has played three consecutive seasons with his current team (carries over in a trade).
Restricted: A free agent either coming off his first-round rookie contract or has signed a three-year contract and has three years of service or fewer. A player becomes restricted if he receives a qualifying offer before June 30. His current team has the right to match any offers.
Early Bird rights
Teams can exceed the cap to sign a player who has spent two consecutive seasons with a team (without being waived, carries over in a trade), but they are restricted to 175 percent of his previous salary or 105 percent of the average player salary. A team can exceed either limit with available cap space. Minimum years on a new deal is two (not including options) and maximum is four.
Restricted: A free agent who signed a two-year contract, has three years of service or fewer and receives a qualifying offer before June 30. The maximum allowable in an offer sheet cannot exceed the projected $8.6 million non-taxpayer midlevel in the first year.
Non-Bird rights
A free agent who has played one season with a team can sign for 120 percent of his previous contract or 120 percent of the minimum salary exception. Teams can exceed either limits but only with cap space or an exception.
Restricted: The maximum allowable in an offer sheet from an opposing team cannot exceed the projected $8.6 million non-tax midlevel in the first year.
Other: A player who had his third or fourth year in his rookie deal declined will not be a restricted free agent. The current team can offer a contract up to the salary of only the declined option.