2015-16 Team-By-Team Salary Summary
The following is a breakdown of the financial positions of all 30 NBA franchises with the salary cap set at $70.0 million for the 2015/16 season.
Teams that go under the cap gain a $2.8 million room exception (RE), but lose their mid-level (MLE) of $5.5 million, bi-annual (BAE) of $2.1 million and any trade (TPE) exceptions.
Maximum salaries start at $16.41 million for players with up to six years of experience, $19.7 million for those with seven to nine and $23.0 million for those in the league for 10 years or more.
The luxury tax threshold is $84.7 million, with the hard cap at $88.7 million — only triggered when a team uses their MLE, BAE or acquire a player via sign and trade.
Tax teams can spend the taxpayer mid-level exception (MMLE) of $3.4 million, not the full MLE or BAE.
Players with an R after their cap hold are restricted free agents.
Atlanta Hawks
Current: Cap room spent, $1,814,000 RE, $947k TPE
Acquisitions: Tiago Splitter, Paul Millsap, Walter Tavares, Justin Holiday, Lamar Patterson, Kirk Hinrich, Kris Humphries
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Austin Daye, Jason Richardson, Edgar Sosa, Arsalan Kazemi, Terran Petteway, Earl Barron, DeQuan Jones, Shelvin Mack (via trade), Justin Holiday (via trade)
Note: The Hawks used their cap room to add Splitter and Tavares, and to re-sign Millsap (who only had early Bird rights).
Boston Celtics
Current: Cap space spent, $2,789,000 RE
Acquisitions: Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, Jordan Mickey, Jae Crowder, David Lee, Terry Rozier, Jordan Mickey, R.J. Hunter, Coty Clarke (two 10-day contracts), John Holland
Cap Holds: Luigi Datome ($2.3 million)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Phil Pressey, Zoran Dragic, Malcolm Miller, Levi Randolph, Coty Clarke (waived, two expired 10-days), Corey Walden, Perry Jones III, David Lee
Note: The Celtics waived guaranteed players Perry Jones III and Zoran Dragic to get the roster down to 15.
Brooklyn Nets
Current: No space, $2,242,824 MLE, TPEs ($2.2 million, $1.4 million)
Acquisitions: Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young. Thomas Robinson, Chris McCullough, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, Willie Reed, Andre Bargnani, Donald Sloan, Sean Kilpatrick (two 10-day contracts, multi-year deal), Henry Sims (two 10-day contracts, rest of season)
Cap Holds: Jerome Jordan ($947k), three former NBA players
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Darius Morris, Deron Williams, Cory Jefferson, Earl Clark, Chris Daniels, Quincy Miller, Ryan Boatright, Dahntay Jones, Justin Harper, Andrea Bargnani, Joe Johnson
Note: The Nets may be able to spend more of their MLE to trigger a hard cap, but without much wiggle room.
Charlotte Hornets
Current: No space, hard-capped, $5,464,000 MLE, TPEs ($646k, $548k)
Acquisitions: Jeremy Lin, Frank Kaminsky, Jeremy Lamb, Aaron Harrison, Spencer Hawes, Tyler Hansbrough, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (extension), Jeremy Lamb (extension), Courtney Lee, Jorge Gutierrez
Cap Holds: Jeffrey Taylor ($947k), Jason Maxiell ($947k)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Jason Washburn, Damien Wilkins, Elliot Williams, Sam Thompson, P.J. Hairston (via trade), Brian Roberts (via trade)
Note: Kemba Walker’s extension kicks at $12 million for the coming season. The Hornets used their BAE on Lin, triggering the hard cap.
Chicago Bulls
Current: No space, $1,126,000 MMLE, $2.9 mil TPE
Acquisitions: Aaron Brooks, Mike Dunleavy, Jimmy Butler, Bobby Portis, Cristiano Felicio, Justin Holiday
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Jake Anderson, Stefhon Hannah, Jordan Crawford, Marcus Simmons, Kirk Hinrich (via trade)
Note: The Bulls are a tax team.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Current: No space, TPEs ($9.6 million, $2.9 million, $2.3 million, $947k, $845k)
Acquisitions: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson, James Jones, Matt Dellavedova, J.R. Smith, Sasha Kaun, Jared Cunningham, Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye, Jordan McRae, Dahntay Jones
Cap Holds: Shawn Marion ($947k, retiring)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Michael Dunigan, Nick Minnerath, Dionte Christmas, D.J. Stephens, Austin Daye, Jack Cooley, Quinn Cook, Anderson Varejao (via trade), Jared Cunningham (via trade)
Note: The Cavaliers are a significant tax team.
Cleveland Cavaliers Team Salary
Dallas Mavericks
Current: No space
Acquisitions: Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea, Jeremy Evans, Deron Williams, Charlie Villanueva, Zaza Pachulia, Justin Anderson, John Jenkins, Salah Mejri, JaVale McGee, David Lee
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Jarrid Famous, Samuel Dalembert, Jamil Wilson, Brandon Ashley, Maurice N’dour, John Jenkins
Note: John Jenkins, Maurice N’dour and Jamil Wilson (all since waived) received $1.00 more than the minimum salary in their first years.
Denver Nuggets
Current: No space
Acquisitions: Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic, Will Barton, Jameer Nelson, Nick Johnson, Danilo Gallinari (extension), Darrell Arthur, Mike Miller, Kostas Papanikolaou, Sean Kilpatrick (two 10-day contracts), Steve Novak, D.J. Augustin, JaKarr Sampson, Axel Toupane
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived: Jamaal Franklin, Pablo Prigioni, Joey Dorsey, Kostas Papanikolaou (twice), Matt Janning, Devin Sweetney, Oleksiy Pecherov, Nick Johnson, Erick Green, Sean Kilpatrick (expired 10-days), Randy Foye (via trade), J.J. Hickson, Steve Novak
Note: The Nuggets waived the two-year guaranteed salary of Nick Johnson to get down to 15 players before the start of the season.
Detroit Pistons
Current: Cap room spent, $2,814,000 RE, $212k TPE
Acquisitions: Reggie Jackson, Steve Blake, Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock, Danny Granger, Darrun Hilliard, Aron Baynes, Joel Anthony, Stanley Johnson, Ersan Ilyasova, Justin Harper (two 10-day contracts), Lorenzo Brown (three contracts, including two 10-day)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived: Eric Griffin, Jordan Bachynski, Adonis Thomas, Cartier Martin, Ryan Boatright, Danny Granger, Brandon Jennings (via trade), Ersan Ilyasova (via trade), Justin Harper (expired 10-days), Lorenzo Brown (expired 10-days)
Note: The Pistons waived Danny Granger and Cartier Martin’s guaranteed salary to get to 15 players.
Golden State Warriors
Current: No space, $876,000 MMLE, TPEs ($5.4 million, $3.2 million)
Acquisitions: Draymond Green, Leandro Barbosa, Kevon Looney, Ian Clark, Jason Thompson, Anderson Varejao
Cap Holds: Ognjen Kuzmic ($947k), one former NBA player
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Tony Mitchell, Ben Gordon, Juwan Staten, Jarell Eddie, Chris Udofia, Chris Babb, Xavier Henry, Jason Thompson
Note: The Warriors are deep into the luxury tax.
Golden State Warriors Team Salary
Houston Rockets
Current: Over the cap and hard-capped, $1,274,206 MLE
Acquisitions: Ty Lawson, Patrick Beverley, K.J. McDaniels, Marcus Thornton, Corey Brewer, Sam Dekker, Jason Terry, Montrezl Harrell, Josh Smith (via trade with Los Angeles Clippers), Michael Beasley, Andrew Goudelock
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived: Remi Yusuf, Joshua Smith, Jeremy Tyler, Arsalan Kazemi, Will Cummings, Denzel Livingston, Chris Walker, Chuck Hayes, Marcus Thornton, Ty Lawson
Note: Using their MLE on McDaniels and Harrell triggered a hard cap for the Rockets.
Indiana Pacers
Current: Spent over the cap, $2,814,000 RE
Acquisitions: Rodney Stuckey, Joseph Young, Monta Ellis, Chase Budinger, Lavoy Allen, Myles Turner, Jordan Hill, Shayne Whittington, Rakeem Christmas, Glenn Robinson III, Ty Lawson
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Kadeem Jack, C.J. Fair, Toney Douglas, Terran Petteway, Chase Budinger
Note: The Pacers paid out $600k to Toney Douglas for going through training camp.
Los Angeles Clippers
Current: No space
Acquisitions: DeAndre Jordan, Paul Pierce, Josh Smith, Austin Rivers, Branden Dawson, Cole Aldrich, Wesley Johnson, Lance Stephenson, Pablo Prigioni, Luc Mbah a Moute, Jeff Ayres (10-day contracts, rest of season), Jeff Green, Alex Stepheson (two 10-day contracts)
Cap Holds: Hedo Turkoglu ($947k), Ekpe Udoh ($947k), Glen Davis ($947k)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Lester Hudson, Jordan Hamilton, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Chuck Hayes, Josh Smith (via trade), Jeff Ayres (expired 10-days), Lance Stephenson (via trade), Alex Stepheson (expired 10-days)
Note: The Clippers are well over the tax threshold.
Los Angeles Clippers Team Salary
Los Angeles Lakers
Current: Cap room spent, $2,814,000 RE
Acquisitions: Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams, Brandon Bass, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Brown, Larry Nance Jr., Marcelo Huertas, Metta World Peace
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Robert Upshaw, Michael Frazier, Jonathan Holmes, Jabari Brown
Note: Roy Hibbert waived approximately $2.2 million of his trade bonus to join the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers Team Salary
Memphis Grizzlies
Current: No space and hard-capped, TPEs ($122k, $450k)
Acquisitions: Marc Gasol, Brandan Wright, Matt Barnes, Jarell Martin, Mario Chalmers, James Ennis, Ryan Hollins (10-day contract), Chris Andersen, P.J. Hairston, Lance Stephenson, James Ennis, Ryan Hollins, Briante Weber (10-day contract), Ray McCallum (two 10-day contract), Alex Stepheson (10-day contract), Xavier Munford (two 10-day contracts, rest of season), Jordan Farmar (10-day contract, rest of season), Bryce Cotton (10-day contract, rest of season)
Cap Holds: Nick Calathes ($1.1 million – R)
Roster count: 16 guaranteed
Waived: Patrick Christopher, Dan Nwaelele, Michael Holyfield, Yakhouba Diawara, Sampson Carter, Alex Stepheson, Lazeric Jones, Ryan Hollins (thrice, two expired 10-days), Russ Smith, Elliot Williams (10-day contract), Courtney Lee (via trade), Jeff Green (via trade), Mario Chalmers, Briante Weber (expired 10-day), Alex Stepheson (expired 10-day)
Note: The Grizzlies triggered a hard cap by using their full MLE on Wright.
Miami HEAT
Current: Over the cap, $2,838,552 MMLE, TPEs ($2.1 million, $2.1 million, $1.7 million, $1.3 million)
Acquisitions: Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow, Gerald Green, Amar’e Stoudemire, Josh Richardson, Beno Udrih, Jarnell Stokes, Brian Roberts, Joe Johnson, Briante Weber, Dorell Wright
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Henry Walker, Corey Hawkins, Keith Benson, Greg Whittington, John Lucas III, Tre Kelley, Briante Weber, Chris Andersen (via trade), Jarnell Stokes (via trade), Brian Roberts (via trade), Beno Udrih
Note: Miami is a repeater, if in the tax.
Milwaukee Bucks
Current: Cap room spent, $1,664,000 RE, TPEs ($5.2 million, $4.3 million)
Acquisitions: Khris Middleton, Greg Monroe, Rashad Vaughn, Greivis Vasquez, Chris Copeland, John Henson (extension), Steve Novak, Jared Cunningham (expired 10-day)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Caron Butler, Shawne Williams, Jon Horford, Charlie Westbrook, Marcus Landry, Josh Powell, Jorge Gutierrez, Chris Copeland, Jared Cunningham (expired 10-day)
Minnesota Timberwolves
Current: Over the cap and hard-capped, $1,513,999 MLE, $2,139,000 BAE, TPEs ($5.0 million, $816k, $500k)
Acquisitions: Tyus Jones, Damjan Rudez, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Garnett, Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Miller, Tayshaun Prince, Greg Smith (10-day contract, two-year deal)
Cap Holds: Robbie Hummel ($947k), Arinze Onuaku ($947k), Justin Hamilton ($947k), Othyus Jeffers ($947k)
Roster count: 14 guaranteed
Waived: Anthony Bennett, Nick Wiggins, Kleon Penn, Lorenzo Brown, Andre Miller, Kevin Martin
Note: The Bjelica signing triggered a hard cap for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota Timberwolves Team Salary
New Orleans Pelicans
Current: Over the cap and hard-capped. $411,591 MLE (pro-rates daily), $1,006,488 BAE (pro-rates daily), TPE ($947k)
Acquisitions: Anthony Davis (extension), Alonzo Gee, Dante Cunningham, Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca, Luke Babbitt, Kendrick Perkins, Norris Cole, Ish Smith (traded to Philadelphia 76ers), Toney Douglas, Bryce Dejean-Jones (10-day contract, three-year contract), Jarnell Stokes (via trade), Orlando Johnson (10-day contract), Tim Frazier (10-day contract, rest of season), Jordan Hamilton (10-day contracts, rest of season), James Ennis (10-day contract, rest of season)
Roster count: 18 guaranteed
Waived Players: Toney Douglas, Corey Webster, Mirza Begic, Jerome Jordan, Sean Kilpatrick, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Bryce Dejean-Jones (waived and two expired 10-days, re-signed), Jeff Adrien, Bo McCalebb, Nate Robinson, Jimmer Fredette, Jarnell Stokes, Orlando Johnson (expired 10-day)
Note: The signings of Gee and Cunningham via the MLE triggered a hard cap for the Pelicans. New Orleans claimed Ish Smith off waivers (Washington Wizards) but traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Salary
New York Knicks
Current: Cap room spent and hard-capped
Acquisitions: Robin Lopez, Kyle O’Quinn, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, Sasha Vujacic, Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant, Kevin Seraphin, Thanasis Antetokounmpo (10-day contract), Jimmer Fredette (10-day contract), Tony Wroten
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Ricky Ledo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo (waived and expired 10-day), Darion Atkins, Wesley Saunders, Travis Trice, DeJuan Summer, Jimmer Fredette (expired 10-day)
Note: The Knicks adding in O’Quinn via sign and trade triggered the hard cap.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Current: Over the cap and luxury tax threshold, $3,376,000 MMLE, TPEs ($3.8 million, $2.8 million, $2.0 million)
Acquisitions: Enes Kanter, Cameron Payne, Kyle Singler, Josh Huestis, Randy Foye, Nazr Mohammed
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Dez Wells, Talib Zanna, Julyan Stone, Michael Qualls, Michael Cobbins, Mustapha Farrakhan, Steve Novak (via trade), D.J. Augustin (via trade).
Note: The Thunder are in the luxury tax.
Oklahoma City Thunder Team Salary
Orlando Magic
Current: No space, $2,814,000 RE, $8.2 million TPE
Acquisitions: Tobias Harris (traded to Detroit Pistons), C.J. Watson, Jason Smith, Mario Hezonja, Shabazz Napier, Joe Harris (via trade, waived), Keith Appling (10-day contracts), Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova, Jared Cunningham
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Ben Gordon, Jordan Sibert, Keith Appling, Melvin Ejim, Greg Stiemsma, Nnanna Egwu, Joe Harris, Keith Appling (expired 10-days), Channing Frye (via trade)
Philadelphia 76ers
Current: $7.0 million in cap space, $2,814,000 RE
Acquisitions: Nik Stauskas, Jason Thompson, Carl Landry, Jahlil Okafor, Pierre Jackson, Richaun Holmes, Kendall Marshall, Christian Wood (twice, plus two 10-day contracts), T.J. McConnell, Tony Wroten, Elton Brand, Sonny Weems
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Gerald Wallace, Jason Thompson (via trade), Furkan Aldemir, Pierre Jackson, Scottie Wilbekin, Jordan McRae, J.P. Tokoto, Jordan Railey, Phil Pressey, Tony Wroten, Christian Wood (waived and expired 10-day), JaKarr Sampson, Sonny Weems
Note: Cap space figure assumes Dario Saric officially signs that he’ll play next season overseas.
Philadelphia 76ers Team Salary
Phoenix Suns
Current: Cap space spent, $2,814,000 RE, $579k TPE
Acquisitions: Brandon Knight, Tyson Chandler, Devin Booker, Sonny Weems, Mirza Teletovic, Jon Leuer, Ronnie Price, Cory Jefferson (10-day contract), Jordan McRae (two 10-day contracts), Orlando Johnson (10-day contract), Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair, John Jenkins, Phil Pressey (two 10-day contracts), Alan Williams (10-day contract, two-year deal), Chase Budinger
Roster count: 14 guaranteed
Waived Players: Jerel McNeal, Deonte Burton, Kyle Casey, Terrico White, Henry Sims, Cory Jefferson (waived and expired 10-day), Bryce Cotton, Lorenzo Brown (expired 10-days), Jordan McRae (expired 10-days), Orlando Johnson (expired 10-day), Markieff Morris (via trade), Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair, Sonny Weems (claimed by Philadelphia 76ers)
Portland Trail Blazers
Current: $7.8 million in cap space, $2,814,000 RE
Acquisitions: Damian Lillard (extension), Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis, Noah Vonleh, Mason Plumlee, Pat Connaughton, Luis Montero, Moe Harkless, Gerald Henderson, Cliff Alexander, Anderson Varejao, Brian Roberts
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived: Brendan Haywood, Mike Miller, Omari Johnson, Phil Pressey, Tim Frazier, Anderson Varejao
Note: The Blazers have more cap room than any team in the league.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Salary
Sacramento Kings
Current: Spent over the cap, $2,814,000 RE
Acquisitions: Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, James Anderson, Caron Butler, Omri Casspi, Kosta Koufos, Willie Cauley-Stein, Duje Dukan, Seth Curry, Quincy Acy, Eric Moreland
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived players: Eric Moreland (re-signed), Vince Hunter, Marshall Henderson, David Stockton
San Antonio Spurs
Current: Cap space spent
Acquisitions: LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Matt Bonner, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Boban Marjanovic, Jonathan Simmons Rasual Butler, Andre Miller, Kevin Martin
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: DeShaun Thomas, Youssou Ndoye, Jimmer Fredette, Keifer Sykes, Reggie Williams, Julian Washburn, Ray McCallum, Rasual Butler
Note: The Spurs started under the cap but have spent over the tax threshold.
Toronto Raptors
Current: Cap space spent
Acquisitions: DeMarre Carroll, Delon Wright, Cory Joseph, Norman Powell, Luis Scola, Bismack Biyombo, Jonas Valanciunas (extension), Anthony Bennett, Terrence Ross (extension), Jason Thompson
Cap Holds: Nando De Colo ($1.9 million)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Luke Ridnour, Ronald Roberts, Michale Kyser, Axel Toupane, Shannon Scott, Anthony Bennett
Note: Biyombo signed for the room exception.
Utah Jazz
Current: $5.2 million in cap room, $2,814,000 RE
Acquisitions: Raul Neto, Joe Ingles, Trey Lyles, Tibor Pleiss, Jeff Withey, Erick Green (10-day contracts), Shelvin Mack
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Jack Cooley, J.J. O’Brien (waived & expired 10-day), Grant Jerrett, Treveon Graham, Bryce Cotton, E.J. Singler, Phil Pressey, Eric Atkins, Elijah Millsap, Erick Green (expired 10-days)
Washington Wizards
Current: Over the cap and hard-capped, $1,464,000 MLE, TPE ($250k)
Acquisitions: Gary Neal, Alan Anderson, Kelly Oubre, Jared Dudley, Drew Gooden, Jarell Eddie, Markieff Morris, J.J. Hickson, Marcus Thornton
Cap Holds: Will Bynum ($947k), Al Harrington (947k)
Roster count: 15 guaranteed
Waived Players: Jaleel Roberts, Josh Harrellson, Toure’ Murry, Jaron Johnson, Ish Smith, Martell Webster, Ryan Hollins, Kris Humphries (via trade), DeJuan Blair (via trade), Gary Neal
Note: The Wizards have to make a decision this summer on a potential Bradley Beal extension. Washington is hard-capped after using the BAE on Neal.
Washington Wizards Team Salary
Salary and team data changes quite often. If you notice a discrepancy, please notify Basketball Insiders Senior Writer Eric Pincus.
(Updated on 4/25/16)
