The projected NBA salary cap for the 2026-27 season is around $166 million, a modest increase from the previous year, with the luxury tax threshold projected near $201.7 million and related aprons at roughly $210.3M (First) and $223.1M (Second). This number comes from updated league projections in late 2025, reflecting revenue shifts from new media deals and challenges with regional sports networks, falling short of the 10% annual maximum increase some teams anticipated.

The NYK have 206,735,628 committed not counting 2026 draft picks as per basketball reference. https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/NYK.html This does not count resigning of Mitchell Robinson whose contract expires at the end of this season. Guershon Yabusele has a player option in 2026/27 for 5,775,00.

Hopefully Yabusele opts out if he hasn’t already been traded. We have cheaper/better options already on the roster. Mitch should be a no brainer to resign and Deuce needs an extension and a raise. Looks like barring a major trade the big priority will be continuity and improving bench scoring. Hopefully we manage a little more room under the 2nd apron.

2026/25 priorities - resign Mitch and extend Deuce. Keep this core together.

Trade of keep our 2026 draft picks? We have our first round pick and I believe the Washington pick will convert into a 2nd rd pick and be right at the beginning of the 2nd rd. This upcoming draft is said to be very deep and loaded with talent. I hope we keep our picks there should be good value role players there at the end of the 1st rd and top of the 2nd

For some added context, the combination of Brunson, KAT, OG, Mikal, Hart, Kolek, and Deuce is about 198M next year. If you can move Dadiet and Yabusele for no added salary, and sign 6 players to rookie scale or minimum deals (for example Diawara, McCullar, player drafted in first round, player drafted with Washington second, Clarkson and Shamet) that brings the number up to about 210M for 13 players. Which leaves about 12M as a first year salary to Mitch to stay below the second apron. The longer we can stay under the second apron, the longer we can keep this group together while still having flexibility to make moves.