Nets projected to have the most cap space in the NBA in 2027 offseason

The Brooklyn Nets still have some moves to make with the 2026 NBA offseason still containing some big names on the market that could sign as soon as LeBron James decides where he will play next. Brooklyn has made most of the moves that they're going to make prior to the beginning of the 2026-27 season, but they are projected to lead the league in cap space against next season.

The Nets are projected to have $68.6 million in cap space following the conclusion of the 2026-27 campaign, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac in a post on X on Thursday. Following the Nets are the Chicago Bulls ($55.6 million), Los Angeles Clippers ($53.8 million), Detroit Pistons ($43.9 million), and Milwaukee Bucks ($43.3 million) to round out the top-5 teams in cap space that offseason.

While Brooklyn is projected to have the most cap space in the league next summer, that figure would change if the Nets agree to a contract extension with forward Michael Porter Jr. at some point this offseason. Porter is eligible to sign an extension for four years and $234 million and while he is unlikely to get the maximum amount of money he is eligible for, the structure of his extension could change Brooklyn's offseason next year significantly.

More to the point, the Nets reportedly signed center Mo Wagner to a two-year, $18 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, but the Wagner signing has not been made official as of this writing. However, even Brooklyn signs Wagner to the reported contract, his second year may not factor into the Nets' cap space if it is a team option that the team ultimately declines.

Essentially, assuming that Porter isn't signed to a contract extension and Wagner's deal has a team option on the second year, Brooklyn will have almost $70 million in cap space to work with after next season. Some of the best unrestricted free-agents next season, excluding James, will be Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, forward Kawhi Leonard, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro.

The Nets are projected to have the most cap space in the NBA heading into 2027-28. It's still early in the offseason and this number will change if Brooklyn signs Michael Porter Jr. to a contract extension and likely after they sign Mo Wagner, depending on the setup of his deal. https://t.co/7Qqzphptns

— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) July 23, 2026

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets projected to have the most cap space in the NBA in 2027 offseason