The 2025-26 NBA transaction periods are behind us. The trade deadline saw a ton of massive movement, as several teams elected to go the pre-agency route. Those moves saw a lot of potential 2026 spending power evaporate around the NBA.

We’ll likely see a handful of veteran extensions that will get done before the end of the season. But, with most of the roster movement behind us for the time being, it’s time to look forward!

The General 2026 Offseason Landscape

The 2025 offseason saw the Brooklyn Nets as the only true cap space team. The Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks also went the cap-space route, but for direct reasons to renegotiate-and-extend Jaren Jackson Jr. and to sign Myles Turner in free agency, respectively.

This coming offseason looks like a bit of a return to form. While some teams used their spending power by taking on long-term money in trades, a couple of others opened up the ability to have a lot of cap space. This includes some marquee markets, which should make for an interesting summer.

After a bit of a worry that the cap might not increase as much as hoped for, the NBA’s last protection nudged the numbers up to a bit. Here are the current projected lines of note for the 2026-27 season:

• Salary Cap: $166 million

• Salary Floor: $149.4 million

• Luxury Tax: $201.7 million

• First Apron: $210.3 million

• Second Apron: $223.1 million

Here are the projected signing exception amounts for the 2026-27 season:

• Room Exception: $9.4 million (team has access if they are a cap space team)

• Non-Taxpayer MLE: $15.1 million (using triggers a first-apron hard cap)

• Taxpayer MLE: $6.1 million (using triggers a second-apron hard cap)

• Bi-Annual Exception: $5.5 million (using triggers a first-apron hard cap)

Right now, we project three teams to have a cap space, with two others as potential cap space teams. A handful more could join them, but seem most likely to operate as over-the-cap teams. But here’s what really matters when it comes to projected 2026 cap space, and it’s twofold:

First, we’re talking significant cap space available this summer. The three likely cap space teams are in range to offer max deals to free agents. That’s huge for potential movement.

Second, and even more crucial, some of the NBA’s glamour teams are on here. When the Los Angeles Lakers have space, things tend to happen. The Chicago Bulls project to have cap space, and they’ve been active with space before. Then, you have the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, who have sent some signals they intend to take steps forward this year.

Now, to be fair, it’s not exactly a marquee free agent class. That’ll more likely come in 2027. But there are a handful of big-name players who could hit free agency next summer. There are also several potential interesting restricted free agents that cap space teams could pursue.

And, as always, a weaker free agent class doesn’t mean having spending power is useless. With the Apron Era fully upon us, NBA teams are embracing creativity with their rosters more than ever. Trades will always be a factor, and having cap space makes you a more available trade partner than a team that is over the cap.

With all that said, here’s how things look today for 2026 spending power around the NBA!

(Note: These projections are made using the noted cap and tax figures above, draft pick cap holds based on ESPN’s BPI projected standings and a projection on all option and guarantee decisions by players and teams. No extensions or trades have been projected. We will call out where those types of situations could impact a team projection.)

Cap Space Teams – 3 Teams

1. Chicago Bulls: $63.5 million

2. Los Angeles Lakers: $48.4 million

3. Brooklyn Nets: $46.9 million

Three big markets with enough cap space to chase a max player or to go after several players to fill out their roster. Of course, the Lakers are readymade contenders, while the Bulls and Nets are a lot further away.

Chicago set a full rebuild in motion with their trade deadline moves. They moved off pending free agents in Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. The only long-term money the Bulls took on was for Rob Dillingham, who is still on his rookie scale deal. That’s left a roster with some intriguing young talent, but a with a lot of holes to fill. Fortunately, Chicago should have plenty of cap space to work with as far as filling those roster holes.

In order for the Lakers to get here with cap space, they’ll have to cut ties with LeBron James. Or, of course, James could make that decision for Los Angeles by retiring, or by choosing to move to another team. This would also mean clearing the books of every other free agent, minus Austin Reaves’ cap hold, and Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart opting in. But that doesn’t mean all of the other Lakers would be gone. They’d just take care of them using cap space or the Room Exception. Or, as we’ve seen before, that cap space could be used to get a co-star for Luka Doncic and Reaves.

The Nets are very likely to have significant cap space for a second straight summer. Some of this could go toward retaining their own free agents again (Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams both have pending team options), but Brooklyn will have lots of room to again act as a clearing house for unwanted salaries for tax and apron teams. Just send some draft picks or young talent with those undesirable deals. The Nets also don’t have control over their own pick for the 2027 or 2028 drafts. That could signal a team that is ready to spend to move the roster forward. Look for a measured approach to spending, as opposed to an all-in one.

Swing Cap Space and Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception Teams – 2 Teams

1. Atlanta Hawks - up to $32.9 million in cap space

2. Detroit Pistons - up to $27.9 million in cap space

Atlanta is more likely to go the cap space route than Detroit. The Hawks could also keep C.J. McCollum via an extension, and could pick up their team option for Jonathan Kuminga. Both have proven to be good fits around the Hawks locked-in core group. If McCollum and Kuminga stick in Atlanta, the Hawks will operate over-the-cap, but with the Non-Taxpayer MLE.

The Pistons probably won’t go the cap space route. That would mean clearing the books of a lot of guys who are rotation players. Instead, expect Detroit to stay over the cap, but to still have enough room to use the Non-Taxpayer MLE to bring in some talent. Life is good for the league’s most pleasant surprise.

Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception Teams – 10 Teams

1. Charlotte Hornets

2. Dallas Mavericks

3. LA Clippers

4. Memphis Grizzlies

5. Milwaukee Bucks

6. New Orleans Pelicans

7. Portland Trail Blazers

8. San Antonio Spurs

9. Utah Jazz

10. Washington Wizards

As per usual, this group features a mix of title contenders, playoff contenders and rebuilding teams.

You have playoff contenders like Charlotte, LA, Portland and San Antonio. They’re in good shape to add a player or two to their rotations, even if they re-sign a few key free agents.

The Mavericks and Bucks are both kind-of, sort-of, semi-rebuilding. Because of Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving in Dallas, and Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, both of these teams could easily add to aid in a playoff chase next season. And, of course, the ever-present trade swirl around Antetokounmpo will be a thing until it isn’t.

The Pelicans are playing pretty good basketball when they’ve been healthy this season. They’ve got most of their guys coming back. They could be a team that goes into next season thinking playoffs, but it’s less of a sure thing than the Mavs or Bucks are.

The Grizzlies are closer to fully rebuilding than the other teams in this group. They’re likely to look at moving Ja Morant, which could even put Memphis in position to have cap space. But that doesn’t seem overly likely. Bet on a slower-and-steadier rebuild for Memphis.

The Jazz and Wizards both went the pre-agency route. Utah added Jaren Jackson Jr, while Washington traded for Anthony Davis and Trae Young. Both teams think that adding veterans to their younger core players will push them into playoff contention next season. That should see both teams looking to add talent via the Non-Taxpayer MLE.

Swing Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception Teams and Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception Teams – 5 teams

1. Boston Celtics

2. Miami Heat

3. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Phoenix Suns

5. Toronto Raptors

These five teams are all playoff contenders, with Boston being a title contender.

The Celtics and Suns both went all the way from the second apron to out of the tax entirely. They took drastically different routes, as Boston traded away most of their players, while Phoenix made a few trades and also waived-and-stretched Bradley Beal. But both are now in great shape. Their rosters are solid, and both could have some spending power this summer. The difference between having the NTLME and Taxpayer MLE will come down to re-signing some key free agents, including Nikola Vucevic for the Celtics and Mark Williams for the Suns.

Miami’s spot here is largely about how much they re-sign Norman Powell for this summer. Powell has been terrific for the Heat. If that contract comes in really high, the Heat will be looking at the Taxpayer MLE. If Miami can get Powell on even a bit of a discount, they could have the full Non-Taxpayer MLE.

Philadelphia has three guys on max deals, plus some key free agents. If they re-sign players like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes, they’ll be a tax team and maybe able to use the Taxpayer MLE. If those players walk, the Sixers will be able to use the full Non-Taxpayer MLE.

The Raptors are kind of on the other end. They’re more likely to be restricted to the Taxpayer MLE, but they could make a move or two to free up some additional spending power. Look for Toronto to use at least some of the Non-Taxpayer MLE to re-sign Sandro Mamukelashvili, who has become a key rotation player for the Raptors.

Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception Teams – 3 teams

1. Golden State Warriors

2. Houston Rockets

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

Golden State could get themselves into range to use the Non-Taxpayer MLE. However, that seems unlikely. The more likely path is to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis on a short-term deal, while also bringing back a few other free agents. That should leave enough room to use the Taxpayer MLE, while staying under the second apron.

The Rockets have a bit of flexibility, but they’d presumably like to re-sign Tari Eason. That means it could be tight to use even the Taxpayer MLE while filling out the roster. Maybe a move to shed some salary to free up flexibility could be in the cards here.

Minnesota’s team salary should come down enough that they’ll be able to use the Taxpayer MLE. They might even be able to use a chunk of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, but that doesn’t seem very likely, assuming the Wolves re-sign Ayo Dosunmu. They should still be able to add a helpful player either way.

Swing Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception Teams and Second Apron Teams – 7 teams

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Denver Nuggets

3. Indiana Pacers

4. New York Knicks

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

6. Orlando Magic

7. Sacramento Kings

These are some of the best teams in the NBA. All are playoff contenders, with a few being top-tier title contenders, minus one notable exception.

The Cavs got off money in a series of deals at the deadline. Now, they should be able to stay under the second apron next season, while still maintaining a high-end roster.

Denver doesn’t have a lot of flexibility. If they re-sign Peyton Watson, they’ll be well over the second apron. If Watson walks, the Nuggets could finagle a little flexibility to use the Taxpayer MLE. Look Denver to try and move off some money to free up some flexibility.

Indiana likely won’t end up this expensive by the 2027 trade deadline, but they may start the year out as a very expensive team as they gear up to be a contender again. The biggest thing pushing the Pacers up near the second apron? Having a top-three projected pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Look for some rebalancing to happen, but it may be in-season before Indiana can avoid the tax yet again.

The Knicks projection is wholly dependent on what happens with Mitchell Robinson. If Robinson re-signs, New York is a second-apron team. If Robinson walks, the Taxpayer MLE could be used to replace him.

The Thunder will have some form of roster transition this offseason. The team again has a multiple first-round draft picks coming (two or three, depending on where the Jazz land), and their roster remains mostly full. They’ve also got a handful of potential major free agents. If OKC re-signs everyone, they’ll probably be a second-apron team. But they’ve got moves to make to keep the core together without spending getting out of hand. Life remains very good for the Thunder, and very scary for the rest of the NBA.

Orlando has added a lot of long-term money to the books through extensions and trades. They could free up some flexibility by shedding some salary, but this team is still going to be pretty expensive. There’s even the possibility of going over the second apron, but don’t expect the Magic to go quite that far. Not until they prove they can be a Finals contender.

Then we have Sacramento. As it stands today, the Kings are over the first apron. Some of that is driven by having a projected top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (a good thing), but most is by having a bloated payroll (a bad thing). Look for trades to be the way for Sacramento, as a team that is clearly starting a new rebuild can’t stay this expensive.

Second Apron Teams (no signing exceptions) – 0 Teams

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks both got off enough salary at the trade deadline that they are no longer locks to start the summer over the second apron. This is yet another sign that the second-apron restrictions and penalties are making teams thinking twice around spending over the prohibitive barrier.

Today the NWSL released the updated competition rules for the upcoming 2026 season which kicks off on Friday. Here’s what changed:

Financial Changes

Per the CBA, the base salary cap is $3.5 million, with the leagues new revenue sharing mechanism bring the overall cap to $3.7 million. 

Teams will continue to phase out the use of Allocation Money by the end of the calendar year, with the exception of expansion clubs Denver and Boston who will be able to spend their monies until the end of 2027. Allocation Money is available to be used IN ADDITION TO the $3.7 million salary cap. 

The NWSL net transfer fee threshold increases to $605,000 and will continue to increase 10% every year. 

Bonus structures will see an out-of-CBA increase in 2026: 

NWSL Shield Winners: $15,000

NWSL Champions: $15,000

Playoff bonuses:

• Quarterfinalists: $3,750

• Semifinalists: $7,500

• Finalists: $11,250

Challenge Cup:

• Champion: $3,500

• Runner-up: $2,200

Individual Awards

• Most Valuable Player: $25,000

• Rookie of the Year: $20,000

• Best XI: $10,000

• Championship MVP: $10,000

• Goalkeeper of the Year: $10,000

• Defender of the Year: $10,000

• Midfielder of the Year: $10,000

• Golden Boot: $10,000

• Second Best XI: $5,000

• Challenge Cup MVP: $2,000

Game Policies

The NWSL has implemented updated procedures regarding gameday heat safety and serious injury protocols, emphasizing clearer communication chains, improved coordination among matchday personnel and additional operational guidelines

The league will be implementing a goalkeeper injury policy for the first time in 2026. In the event of a goalkeeper injury, players from both teams may not approach their team’s technical area. They must either: remain in the area where they were when play stopped; or gather on their team’s side of the midfield center circle. 

New in 2026, VAR decisions will be communicated by referee, who will announce and explain the ruling to fans in the stadium and broadcast viewers.

Major League Soccer on Monday afternoon announced lifetime suspensions to former MLS players Derrick Jones & Yaw Yeboah for betting on MLS matches.

Derrick Jones, 29, most recently played for the Columbus Crew & Yaw Yeboah, 28, most recently played for Los Angeles FC. 

The duo who both played together at Columbus Crew (2024-25) were both placed on administrative leave pending league review of potential violations of MLS league rules on October 25, 2025.

On Monday afternoon, Major League Soccer released a statement stating that after receiving suspicious betting alerts through their integrity partners, they retained law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to conduct an investigation.

After reviewing the results of their investigation, Major League Soccer concluded that both players had engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including their own teams, during the 2024 & 2025 MLS seasons.

In one instance highlighted by the release, both players [Yeboah & Jones] had placed bets on Jones to receive a yellow card during the October 19th, 2024 match between Columbus Crew & Red Bull New York. In the 35th minute of that match, Jones received a yellow card for a harsh late foul on Red Bull New York midfielder Daniel Edelman.

The league additionally determined that, “the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards.”

Major League Soccer added that “No evidence was identified that suggested that any of the betting activities affected the outcome of a match.”

“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans.”

According to The Athletic, MLS has been working tirelessly with jurisdictions that allow betting to remove yellow and red cards as part of betting opportunities. They noted that 33/52 jurisdictions do not allow betting on yellow & red cards and 15 changed rules after outreach after speaking with an MLS Spokesperson.

After the announcement of suspensions, the Columbus Crew released a statement through a club spokesperson:

“The Columbus Crew are proud of the reputation we’ve established in MLS and global soccer that’s rooted in respect and integrity throughout our organization. We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren’t aligned with these critical values for our Club and any individual’s activity contradicting the principles of fair competition that are pivotal to our team, league and sport.

“The Crew – who strictly adhere to all MLS policies on educating and enforcing sports gambling regulations with team personnel – fully cooperated with the league since first learning about the inquiry regarding the players in question. Given the nature of the investigation, the Club defers all comments on its results and discipline to the league.”

Yeboah, 28, mutually agreed to a contract termination with his former MLS team, Los Angeles FC, on January 17, 2026. On February 28, 2026, he signed with Chinese Super League club Quingdao Hainiu F.C. The CSL club is currently in 15th place with a 0 win, 1 draw, 1 loss record. They currently are on -7 points as they were found guilty (along with 9 other teams in the league) of historic offenses related to match-fixing, gambling, and corruption.

Jones, 29, signed a two-year deal with Columbus Crew as a free agent in December of 2023. On November 26, 2025, his club option was declined. He is currently a free agent.

This is not the first instance of MLS policing its players for gambling. In July of 2021, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernández was placed on administrative league & then in October of 2021, was suspended without pay for the remainder of the season due to violations of the league’s gambling integrity rules and standards of conduct. Hernandez engaged in extensive and unlawful sports gambling while a member of Sporting Kansas City that included placing wagers on two MLS matches, in direct contravention of league rules. 

Hernández was then found in violation for a second time in June of 2024. His contract was subsequently terminated by the league in September of 2024. Hernández however does have the opportunity to be re-instated as of January 1, 2026, on application to the Commissioner’s office.

Major League Soccer isn’t the only league dealing with this issue as several players have been suspended in the NFL, NHL, MLB, & college athletics after a Supreme Court decision in 2018 struck down a federal prohibition on sports betting.

Unrestricted Free Agency
Track the fate of 600 NFL players who are set to hit the open market

Restricted Free Agency
75 tender decisions need to be made by Wednesday.
- 1st-Round Tender: $8,107,000
- 2nd-Round Tender: $5,811,000
- Original Round Tender: $3,674,000
- Right-of-Refusal Tender: $3,547,000

Trade Candidates
Numbers and Analysis for a few dozen names projected to be on the move this month.

Transaction Wire
Track every signing, release, conversion, tender, and plenty more...

Trade Tracker
Our standalone trader tracker keeps all moving parts organized, including cap space gained/lost.

Trade Machine
Mock up the next big NFL move.

Roster GM Tool
Take a seat in the GM chair, processing any available move (pay cuts, extensions, conversion, free agent adds, trades, etc...)

Market Values
The full list of active valuations recently calculated from our model

Quarterback

Current Leader: Dak Prescott (DAL), $60M

Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

The 29-year-old has 2 years, $104M remaining on his current contract, including back-to-back cap figures of $74.5M. He holds a $62.6M valuation according to our model, putting him inline for a 3 year, $188M extension.

Monitoring: Drake Maye (Patriots, eligible after 2026), Caleb Williams (Bears, eligible after 2026)

Running Back

Current Leader: Saquon Barkley (PHI), $20.6M

Bijan Robinson (Falcons)

Robinson’s $11.5M 5th-year option for 2027 is a foregone conclusion, putting him on a 2 year, $15M contract currently speaking. The 24-year-old currently holds a $19M valuation in our model (3 years, $57M), setting him up to push past Barkley’s current top mark. If there’s anything standing in the way of him reaching this number, it would be his struggles in a pass block setting.

Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)

Gibbs might be the most productive pass-catching running back in all of football, improving in this regard in each of his first three NFL seasons. Factor in that he’s a capable pass blocker, and not yet 24-years-old, and Gibbs’ rise to the top of this market seems inevitable. He’s on a 2 year, $17.25M contract when factoring in the 5th-year-old option, valuing toward a 3-year, $61M extension in our model.

Monitoring: Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Devon Achane (Dolphins)

Wide Receiver

Current Leader: Ja'Marr Chase (CIN), $40.25M

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks)

JSN has caught 220 balls for over 2,900 yards across the past 2 seasons in Seattle thrusting him to the top of the WR conversation as he becomes extension-eligible for the first time. Mathematically, he’s about a $38M player in our system, but with 2 years, $27M remaining on his rookie deal (when factoring in the 5th-year option), Seattle shouldn’t have too much trouble tacking on a 3 year, $123M extension to reset this market.

Puka Nacua (Rams)

His reckless style of play will make him an annual risk for injury - but it’s also a major reason why he’s largely considered one of the best WRs in all of football across the past 3 seasons. The 5th-rounder is now on an expiring contract in LA, holding a $38.5M valuation in our system, but a 4 year, $164M extension certainly seems plausible here. 

Tight End

Current Leader: George Kittle (SF), $19.1M

Monitoring: Brock Bowers (Raiders, eligible after 2026), Sam LaPorta (Lions)

Offensive Tackle

Current Leader: Rashawn Slater (LAC), $28.5M

Laremy Tunsil (Commanders)

Entering a contract year in 2026, Tunsil is set to earn $21.3M against a $24M+ cap hit in Washington. He remains one of the best left tackles in all of football, putting him in line for an extension at or around 4 years, $120M.

Monitoring: Paris Johnson (Cardinals), Darnell Wright (Bears)

Guard

Current Leader: Tyler Smith (DAL), $24M

Quenton Nelson (Colts)

Nelson is entering the final year of his 4 year, $80M extension in Indy, posting arguably his best season to date in 2025. The 29-year-old now projects toward a 4 year, $93M extension in our system, putting him very much in line to reset the market.

Peter Skoronski (Titans)

The #11 overall pick from 2023 is now extension-eligible for the first time, having received a Top 5 grade from PFF this past season in Tennessee. The 24-year-old is in a nice position to cash in big this offseason with Tennessee currently light on large, veteran contracts. A 3-year extension north of $72M could be in the cards here.

Monitoring: Mike Onwenu (Patriots)

Center

Current Leader: Creed Humphrey (KC), $18M

Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens)

The 2022 1st-round pick posted 4-straight productive, consistent seasons in Baltimore, and is largely considered to be one of the top free agents set to hit the open market. He should have little trouble cruising past the $18M APY mark in the coming weeks, with $20M+ very much in range.

Monitoring: Aaron Brewer (Dolphins), Tanor Bortolini (Colts, eligible after 2026)

Interior Defensive Lineman

Current Leader: Chris Jones (KC), $31.75M

Jeffery Simmons (Titans)

Simmons has 2 years, $44M remaining on his contract, but the guaranteed portion of the deal has now passed by. The 28-year-old has been both productive and reliable, posting arguably his best overall campaign in 2025 (11 sacks, 67 tackles, 3 forced fumbles). He projects toward a 3 year, $93M extension in our system.

Kobie Turner (Rams)

A 3rd-round pick back in 2023, Turner is now entering a contract year in LA, coming off of his 3rd-straight outstanding campaign. He’s a $25M player in our system, but remains a real threat to approach/surpass the $30M mark when pen hits the paper.

Monitoring: Quinnen Williams (Cowboys), T'Vondre Sweat (Titans, eligible after 2026)

Edge Defender

Current Leader: Micah Parsons (GB), $46.5M

Will Anderson (Texans)

The 24-year-old finished 2025 as PFF’s #1 graded edge defender, and is now extension-eligible for the first time this offseason. He’s a $39M player according to our model, but Aidan Hutchinson’s $45M, at the very least, should be the target pricepoint here.

Monitoring: Jared Verse (Rams, eligible after 2026)

Linebacker

Current Leader: Fred Warner (SF), $21M

Jack Campbell (Lions)

A 1st-round pick back in 2023, Campbell showed his full worth in 2025, posting 166 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles for the Lions. He’s extension-eligible for the first time now, holding a $21.5M valuation in our system.

Monitoring: Devin Lloyd (Jaguars FA)

Cornerback

Current Leader: Ahmad Gardner (IND), $30.1M

Christian Gonzalez (Patriots)

Gonzalez has answered every question New England has asked of him across the past two seasons, putting the 23-year-old 1st-round pick on pace to reset this cornerback market in the coming months. His negotiations could very be attached to those of Devon Witherspoon’s in Seattle this offseason.

Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks)

Seattle will almost certainly exercise his 5th-year option putting Witherspoon on a 2 year, $25M deal through 2027. Sauce Gardner’s $30M+ per year extension is the target here.

Trent McDuffie (Chiefs)

McDuffie’s production fell off a bit in 2025, but the 2022 1st-rounder still has 3+ solid seasons on his resume as he approaches his 5th-year option year. Our model puts the 25-year-old in a 4 year, $112M extension.

Monitoring: Quinyon Mitchell  (Eagles, eligible after 2026), Cooper DeJean (Eagles, eligible after 2026), Kamari Lassiter (HOU, eligible after 2026)

Safety

Current Leader: Kyle Hamilton (BAL), $25.1M

Monitoring: Antonio Johnson  (JAX), Derwin James (LAC), Minkah Fitzpatrick (MIA)

Kicker

Current Leader: Harrison Butker (KC(), $6.4M

Brandon Aubrey (Cowboys)

Aubrey is a restricted free agent this March, but the Cowboys seem motivated to lock in their weapon to a long-term deal as well. The 30-year-old has made 99% of his PATs, and 85% of his FGs across the past two seasons, and projects toward a 4 year, $26M extension in our system.

Monitoring: Chris Boswell (Steelers), Chase McLaughlin (Buccaneers)

Punter

Current Leader: Michael Dickson (SEA), $4.05M

Monitoring: Tommy Townsend (Texans FA), Corey Bojorquez (Browns FA), JK Scott (Chargers)

While the Arizona Cardinals and QB Kyler Murray appear sprinting toward divorce, the manner in which that happens remains to be determined. We've outlined a few possible scenarios via both trade & release that could become reality in the coming week(s).

GUARANTEED CASH

Regardless of the scenario, Murray is owed $36.8M cash in 2026 ($22.835M of base salary, $13.965 of roster bonus), all of which is subject to offset language contractually. This sets up Murray to sign elsewhere at a league minimum $1.3M this season.

RELEASE SCENARIOS

Outright Release (Pre 6/1)
2026 Dead Cap: $54.7M (-$2M saved)

Standard Post 6/1 Designation
Arizona carries his $52.6M cap hit into June, then takes on dead hits of $47.5M in 2026; $7.2M in 2027. This would unlock $5.1M of savings in June.

Base Salary Conversion + Post 6/1 Release
Arizona carries a $35.4M cap hit into June, then takes on dead hits of $30.3M in 2026; $24.4M in 2027. This would unlock $17.2M of savings in March; $6.4M more in June.

Salary/Roster Bonus Conversion + Post 6/1 Release
Arizona carries a $24.2M cap hit into June, then takes on dead hits of $19.1M in 2026; $35.6M in 2027. This would unlock $28.4M of savings in March; $5.1M more in June.

EARLY TRADE SCENARIOS

Pre 6/1 Trade
Arizona takes on $17.9M of dead cap ($34.7M saved)

New Team Acquires:
2026: $41,942,500 ($36.8M guaranteed)
2027: $36,335,000 ($19.5M guarantees this March 15th)
2028: $46,350,000 (non-guaranteed)

Pre 6/1 Trade w/ Retained Roster Bonus
Arizona takes on $34.9M of dead cap ($17.7M saved)

New Team Acquires:
2026: $24,942,500 ($22.8M guaranteed)
2027: $36,335,000 ($19.5M guarantees this March 15th)
2028: $46,350,000 (non-guaranteed)

A look at estimated values for the 2026 restricted free agent tenders, based on a $303.45M league salary cap.

RELATED: 2026 Restricted Free Agent Tracker

• RFA Tenders must be submitted by March 11th (4PM ET)
• Offers Sheets must be signed by April 17th
• Right of First Refusal expires April 22nd
  
  

First-Round Tender: $8,106,000
If the original team does not mach an offer sheet signed with another team, it is entitled to a 1st-Round pick in the upcoming draft from the new team.

Second-Round Tender: $5,811,000
If the original team does not mach an offer sheet signed with another team, it is entitled to a 2nd-Round pick in the upcoming draft from the new team.

Original-Round Tender: $3,702,000
If the original team does not mach an offer sheet signed with another team, it is entitled to a pick in the round the player was originally drafted from the new team.

Right of First Refusal Tender: $3,546,000
Original team has the right to match any offer sheet, but no draft compensation is tied in.

With the regular season kicking off in two weeks, here’s a look back at the most surprising NWSL trades of the offseason:

Even with the new CBA forcing player approval of trades, there was no downturn in the offseason trades and in fact there was a significant increase in the transfer fees/allocation funds  involved between clubs. 

1. Claire Hutton traded to Bay FC

Surprising because: Hutton has been pivotal in the Kansas City midfield, playing the fourth most minutes of any field player in both 2024 and 2025. Although only 20 years old, the midfielder was positioned to be one of the long-term franchise players for the Current and additionally has 13 caps for the USWNT. In 2025, she was named to the NWSL Best XI First Team and was a finalist for NWSL Midfielder of the Year.

2. Croix Bethune traded to Kansas City

Surprising because: Bethune came off a record breaking rookie season in 2024 that ended early after a torn meniscus following the summer Olympic break and returned from the SEI list ahead of the season starting. Even with only a partial season played, she still tied the league record for the most assists in a season and won NWSL Rookie of the Year. She battled with a hip injury for the first few matches of the season but still played in 20 matches for the Spirit with 16 starts. She also scored in the semifinal win over the Portland Thorns to help Washington secure a spot in its second straight championship final. She was tabbed to the NWSL Best XI Second Team at the end of the 2025 campaign. 

3. Ludmila traded to San Diego

Surprising because: Ludmila was Chicago’s leading goalscorer last year with 10 goals (nearly ⅓ of all of the Stars goals scored). She played in 24 games and started in 21. A potential argument for the trade could be that Mal Swanson is coming back from maternity leave this year, and when the two forwards were both on the pitch together at the end of 2024 there wasn’t really chemistry. However, there has not yet been a timeline for Swanson’s return to play in 2026 and so a once again rebuilding Chicago will be relying on people to step up if they don’t want the start of the 2026 season to match 2025 where they finished at the bottom of the table. 

4. Emily Sams traded to Angel City

Surprising because: Since joining the league in 2023 Sams has been a lynchpin in the Orlando defense. In her three seasons, she led the field players in minutes played all three years, and won NWSL Defender of the Year in 2024 when Orlando won both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship. Additionally, just a year ago, the Pride signed Sams to a new three-year extension through 2027. 

5. Narumi Miura traded to Utah

Surprising because: Narumi had three assists in her 20 games started for the Spirit last season. Miura signed a two-year contract with Washington in December 2024 as a free agent after two seasons with the Courage. Even more surprising about the move is that although the Japanese midfielder had occupied an INTL spot initially in 2025, the Utah preseason roster release informed us that Miura received a green card while with the Spirit and so her trade did not help the Spirit in their current position of too many players who occupy an INTL spot on the 2026 roster compared to the spots they have. 

A look at the current Average Salary % of League Salary Cap leaders, and what that would translate to in the current salary cap climate. Note, this metric is calculated by dividing a player’s average salary into the total league salary cap in the year that the contract was signed. For 2026, Spotrac is currently projecting a $303,450,000 league cap.

RELATED: APY % of Cap Rankings

As the scheduled start of the 2026 WNBA season looms ever closer, the WNBA and WNBPA have finally been exchanging proposals at a quicker pace after a long standstill. The players' association’s most recent proposal was sent to the league on Tuesday, and the league responded with its own on Friday after calling the players’ proposal “unrealistic.” The league’s most recent proposal made concessions on player housing, but mainly remained unchanged on revenue sharing, The Athletic reports.

The league’s proposal includes a salary cap of $5.65 million for the 2026 season, the same figure as its prior offer. The WNBA adjusted its calculation of expenses in its proposal to slightly increase the players’ portion of net revenue, but the players would still receive about 15% of gross revenue over the length of the deal. 

This proposed percentage is still far off from the union’s latest proposal, which would give an average of 27.5% of gross team and league revenue to the players. And it is far less than the 50% per season figure most U.S. men’s leagues operate with. We previously broke down the revenue sharing debate, explaining the system change the players are requesting and looking at comparable systems across U.S. sports leagues. 

But the WNBA reportedly called that proposal “unrealistic” and claimed it would result in $460 million in losses over the life of the agreement. How that number was calculated is unclear, and WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson disputed the league’s characterization of their proposal.

“What we have proposed is very realistic. What the league and the teams have done is played games,” Jackson wrote to players.

The league made some changes in its latest proposal in response to player concerns about housing for players on cheaper and short-term contracts, particularly in the more expensive markets like New York and Golden State. In the new proposal, all players would be guaranteed team housing in 2026. In 2027 and 2028, only players on minimum salaries or those with no years of service would be provided housing. After that, the housing benefit would end for all but developmental players, who would be provided studio apartments for the entirety of the agreement. The WNBA’s latest proposal also increased employer contributions to the players’ 401k accounts and increased the benefit for retired players.

Other items changed from the expiring CBA that remain in the league’s newest proposal include: two developmental player spots, new minimum facility standards, increased team staffing requirements, a seventh guaranteed contract per team (there are currently six), codified charter travel and more performance bonuses for postseason awards and playoff series wins.

Both sides are increasingly worried about whether the season will start on time. The WNBA still needs to conduct a two-team expansion draft, unprecedently large free agency period (where all but two veteran players are currently free agents), a college draft and training camp before tipping off the season on May 8. 

If an agreement is not reached soon, players were told that ESPN will begin to re-evaluate the WNBA’s 2026 television windows. Preseason games can be dropped and free agency drastically shortened, but once regular-season games are missed, they are unlikely to be made up due to a lack of arena availability. Right now, no one knows when these negotiations will finally be concluded, but everyone recognizes that sooner is better.