Teams With Most Cap Space As Free Agency Kicks Off on Monday

We're just a day away from the start of the annual Free Agent Frenzy in the NBA, and there are two ways to acquire those free agents: Capped-out teams have the more complicated and sometimes difficult route of negotiating a sign-and-trade with the player's current team; Organizations that are not under those cap restraints enjoy the straightforward process of just spending from available room under the salary cap.

These are the clubs that could have the most available cap space to sign free agents, should they so choose:

New York Knicks. Possible cap space: ~$53 Million.

With a solid young core of Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have some options. They could choose to re-sign point guard Derrick Rose, but going all-out for a Kyle Lowry might be their most impactful route.

Lowry won't come cheap, but point guard is the essential spot the Knicks need to spend on.

San Antonio Spurs. Possible cap space: ~$49 Million.

The Spurs are shedding a lot of salary this offseason, with DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay coming off the books as free agents. Patty Mills is also an unrestricted FA, and it's uncertain whether they will bring him back.

It could be tempting for the Spurs to spend and add to their rising young core of Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Derrick White. Rumors have San Antonio interested in the likes of free agent sharpshooter Laurie Markkanen, as well as Golden State Warriors' free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.

Dallas Mavericks. Possible cap space: ~$34 Million.

The Mavs are desperate to put a winner around superstar Luka Doncic. They've got an entirely revamped front office and coaching structure in place, and they're all undoubtedly anxious to make a big splash in their first season.

Dallas has made it known that they'll be pushing hard for Kyle Lowry. A veteran point guard with championship pedigree, to take on some of the ball-handling pressure, and who can knock down 3s, is just what they need to play alongside Luka.

Here's a look at the other teams with potentially the most to spend on this year's free agent class.

Updated 2021 cap space projections post-2021 NBA Draft:

1. NYK - $53.5M
2. SAS - $48.9M
3. DAL - $34.3M
4. OKC - $30.9M (after Favors trade)
5. TOR - $23.1M
6. MIA - $20.5M
7. DET - $17.5M (after Plumlee trade)
8. CHA - $8.8M

Everyone else = projects to be over the cap@spotrac
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 30, 2021