The 2015-2016 Salary Cap Could Come In $2 Million Higher Than Initially Anticipated

Every contract negotiation this summer will be heavily influenced by the impending cap booms in advance of the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. And as if that major complication weren’t enough to make the current offseason one of the wildest in recent memory, it appears a last-second curveball could further rock the free agency boat.

According to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger, the salary cap for next season could come in as much as $2 million higher than initially anticipated.

…league sources telling CBSSports.com Tuesday night that the 2015-16 salary cap is expected to come in as much as $2 million higher than initial projections.

[…]

Teams have been operating on an estimated cap of $67.1 million for the 2015-16 season, but the National Basketball Players Association revealed at the annual agents’ summit in Los Angeles this week that the actual cap is expected to come in at least $1 million higher, and perhaps as much as $2 million higher…

What does this mean? Essentially, this summer’s free agency pie will be sweetened by an additional $30-60 million that teams and players didn’t see coming.

While an extra million or two of wiggle room won’t alter the fortunes of many teams, a select few could stand to benefit immensely. The San Antonio Spurs, for instance, need every bit of cap space they can get to retain as many incumbents as possible while freeing enough room to sign LaMarcus Aldridge outright. This found money might not be the difference that directly leads to the four-time All-Star signing in the Alamo City, but it nevertheless makes R.C. Buford’s task slightly more manageable.

Conversely, free agents who view financial security as the ultimate trump card will undoubtedly want a bigger payday than first expected. Which franchises are comfortable eschewing their early projections and giving it to them could go a long way toward deciding a player’s ultimate destination.

The fun begins at the top of the hour. Buckle up.

[Via CBS Sports]

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