2026-27 Blazers Salary Cap (1 Viewer)

[SharpesTriumph]

So after the Dame signing it appears we are about $3m ($3 million) below the luxury tax this 2025-26 year so we probably do minimal moves the rest of this season. Next summer our cap currently projects as below (please let me know of any updates);

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/overview/_/year/2026

2026-27 NBA cap limits project as 165.0m cap, 200.0m luxury tax, 209.0m 1st apron, 222.0m 2nd apron
NTMLE 15.0m TaxMLE 6.1m roomMLE 9.4m BAE 5.5m
https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/salary_cap

Here's some of the potential pending items this summer that could impact next year cap;
1a. Camara extension deadline, deadline 10/20/2025?
1b. If no extension done, Blazers can opt to have him as a 2026 RFA - anyone know date?
1c. Without 1a or 1b Camara will be a 2027 UFA but very low 2026-27 salary
2. Sharpe extension deadline 10/20/2025 - w/o extension $25.2m cap hold as a RFA

3. Rupert extension deadline 10/20/2025? - w/o extension $3.0m cap hold as a RFA
4. Kris Murray $5.3M guarantee for 2026-27 - deadline of 10/31/2025
5. Thybulle UFA - extension deadline of 6/30/2026
6. Timelord UFA - (ext unlikely)

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Also I'll list draft picks just to list all future assets in one spot.

1st round picks
2026 PDX pick 1-14 (*to Chicago if 15-30 until 2028)
2027 PDX*
2028 ORL pick unprotected
2028 PDX*
2028 MIL unprotected swap
2029 Best of PDX-BOS-MIL unprotected
2029 Worst of PDX-BOS-MIL
2030 PDX
2030 MIL unprotected swap
2031 PDX
2032 PDX
2033 PDX (can be traded July 2026)

2nd round picks
2026 MEM if 43-60
2027 MIN
2027 ATL (Hansen trade - any protections?)
2028 PDX* (to Chicago if above 1st round pick doesn't convey)
2028 SAC (Hansen trade - any protections?)
2029 IND/WAS (less favorable)
2030 NYK
2031 PDX
2032 PDX
2033 PDX(can be traded July 2026)

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Current cap space without extensions to Shae or Camara and cutting all of Thybulle/Timelord/Murray/Rupert have us at;

129,000,070 (Spotrac active roster)
268,032 Didi Louzada dead money
25,199,949 Sharpe cap hold
2,723,938 incomplete roster charge at x2 1,361,969 each
=157,191,989

165.0m cap
7.8m estimated cap space

Doesn't seem like it will make sense to use such little cap space - so unless Blazers have a trade cutting salary we probably stay above the cap. We would likely have the full NTMLE at 15.0m which can be used in a trade effectively like cap space though. Also would have the 5.5m BAE (bi-annual exemption)

 

[wizenheimer]

well, without Dame's salary, it was possible the Blazers could have had around 20M in space. That ship has sailed though, and it may have not really ever been in the harbor.

Camara and his new deal might become a pretty interesting situation. If the Blazers pick up his option and he plays for that 2.4M salary in 2026-27, then he'd be UFA in July 2027. That would be scary for the Blazers

it could be that if Camara and the Blazers can't reach agreement on an extension this season, Portland could decline his option and instead submit a QO after 3 seasons, making him RFA in 2026. Now I'm not exactly sure of this process. Camara would certainly meet the 'starter' criteria and Portland could submit a maximum QO

"If the Portland Trail Blazers decline Toumani Camara's 2026-27 team option, they could extend him a qualifying offer to make him a Restricted Free Agent
.
The maximum salary Camara could be offered in a new contract, either by the Blazers or another team they would then have the right to match, depends on his years of experience and the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules for rookie scale contracts and free agency.

According to a CBA breakdown, players with 0-6 years of experience are eligible for a maximum salary of 25% of the cap. For the 2026-27 season, this would mean a maximum salary of $40,806,150. However, this amount could change depending on the actual cap for that season.

It's important to note that the team could also choose to extend a Maximum Qualifying Offer instead of the standard qualifying offer. This allows for a five-year contract with 8% raises and could potentially reach a higher total value over the years if the team intends to match any offer he receives.The specifics of Camara's qualifying offer, and the maximum offer he could receive, would depend on his draft position and whether he meets the Starter Criteria (meeting minimum playing time or starting thresholds). If he qualifies as a Starter, his qualifying offer could be increased, potentially setting a higher baseline for his future contract negotiations"

I'm not sure how being a 2nd round pick might change the math

maybe this has been the plan all along. It could give Camara a contract larger than the 4-year/89M extension we've been talking about

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I didn't think 2nd round picks could get such a large contract after their 3rd season. I think the NBA didn't want rules where it could conceivably be super beneficial to be pick #31 over #30. Someone else probably knows the exact rules. Prior CBA also had Gilbert Arenas rules and Jeremy Lin type restrictions which limited it.

Actually I think Austin Reeves was in that exact situation two years ago and only could be resigned for a max of 50-60 million by the Lakers. I think other teams could have offered him much more as a RFA though (but still far less than max) but the Lakers could have matched a 90-100 million type deal. The Lakers were restricted from offering it. People thought SAS might offer that but nobody did so LA got him back on that cheap 50 million deal.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I was kind of surprised that Camara didn't sign a deal in early July. You'd think the Blazers and his reps all know the limits and would get him close to that amount.

One idea could be if Camara just wants to get out of his national team responsibilities this summer and will use the contract as an excuse, I believe there was a story from his agent about that. Once national team work is done he'll agree to a deal and then he can't get any flack for not supporting his national team.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Per Camara items above;
1a. Camara extension deadline, deadline 10/20/2025?
1b. If no extension done, Blazers can opt to have him as a 2026 RFA - anyone know date?

I'm guessing 1b date is 6/29/2026 - that is if the Blazers decline his option at or before that date next summer he would then become a restricted free agent. Per spotrac upcoming deadlines;

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Interesting that some ESPN article of upcoming extensions mentions that a Camara extension would reduce the Blazers 2026 cap space.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...lved-storylines-kuminga-giddey-luka-extension

"Toumani Camara of the Portland Trail Blazers is also a candidate, though extending him would make it more difficult for the Blazers to create significant cap room next summer. "

I only really see that cap space being a consideration if we move on from Sharpe during this season and thus remove his 25 million cap hold. If we traded Sharpe for lets say an expiring plus picks all the sudden we'd have 32 million of cap space.

I wonder if thats a possible option the Blazers want to consider or at the least leave open? It would seem to me if we are going to move on from Sharpe it needs to be a trade before the February deadline as next summer we'd be getting almost zero value back if we traded him elsewhere or let him walk.

I guess the other possibility to cap space would be if we can move either Jrue/Grant for expiring's during the season.

 

[wizenheimer]

Per Camara items above;
1a. Camara extension deadline, deadline 10/20/2025?
1b. If no extension done, Blazers can opt to have him as a 2026 RFA - anyone know date?

I'm guessing 1b date is 6/29/2026 - that is if the Blazers decline his option at or before that date next summer he would then become a restricted free agent. Per spotrac upcoming deadlines;

View attachment 74790

that's how I understand it. Just googled:



the 21st pick in this years draft signed a deal with the 1st year salary being 3.5M. Next year that should be around 3.7-3.8M

so that would be Camara's QO....maybe. I'm not sure what his max salary would be in his 4th season, after receiving a 'starter-criteria' QO. 25% of the cap? less?

I'd have to think that the Blazers really don't want Camara to become RFA....unless they already have a tentative deal in place that is bigger than that 4-year/89M deal we've been talking about. If Camara, as an RFA, is out there fielding offers from other teams it would be pretty risky. Blazers could match, but they might be matching a pretty crazy contract

and yeah, it looks like the deadline for a Camara extension in around Oct 20....the last day before the regular season begins

Sharpe and Camara are eligible for extensions. I'd think at least one of them will sign this summer, but maybe not. IIRC, Thybulle and Timelord are eligible too, but it's unlikely they get one

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Below are some details on the Blazers salary cap in the summer;

Looks like we'll be right around the cap of $167 million, that is without a draft pick (might go to Chicago) and if we don't resign either Timelord or Thybulle. However the luxury tax will be around $202 million - so we'll certainly have flexibility to add some salary. Might even be worth considering overpaying Timelord or Thybulle on 1 year contracts so we can potentially include them in a trade.

We should have the full MLE which is $15.1 million - we can either sign a player OR take back a salary in trade for that amount. So its valuable to hold onto during the season if we don't have a good player to sign to it.

Scoot will be eligible for an extension too, although it wouldn't be on our cap until the following 2027-28 season.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/cap/_/year/2026

Here is a look at the multi year salaries in the summer.

 

[wizenheimer]

167.4M in salary guarantees when the projected salary cap is 166-170M. and the tax line 200-202M

but that's for 11 players. Add something like a 13th pick for 5.5M. Add Cissoko & Wesley for a combined 5M (might be a little less). So then the Blazers are somewhere around 177M with 14 players. That's a 23-25M margin below the tax line. So then they have to decide between Timelord, Thybulle, and a full MLE. The full MLE will be around 15M (using it would hard cap at the 1st apron IIRC). Meaning if the Blazers want to keep the option of their full MLE (which has become more valuable since it can be used like a TPE), they'd have to jiggle their roster a bit.

I don't think they can go into next season with Clingan and Yang as the only C's. Is Timelord dependable enough?

it's kind of crazy that Deni will be the 7th highest paid Blazer; and if Portland used their full MLE he'd be the 8th highest paid

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't think they can go into next season with Clingan and Yang as the only C's. Is Timelord dependable enough?

Damn, I wish he were. I am convinced he could also play backup 4. He is effective in defending the perimeter, and his 3-ball looks legitimate. Granted, 7-16 is a small sample size, but he is a career 35% 3 pt shooter. Good enough to keep the defense honest.

 

[wizenheimer]

Damn, I wish he were. I am convinced he could also play backup 4. He is effective in defending the perimeter, and his 3-ball looks legitimate. Granted, 7-16 is a small sample size, but he is a career 35% 3 pt shooter. Good enough to keep the defense honest.

I wonder if he'd sign for 7-8M/year. Would any other team pay him that much?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

167.4M in salary guarantees when the projected salary cap is 166-170M. and the tax line 200-202M

but that's for 11 players. Add something like a 13th pick for 5.5M. Add Cissoko & Wesley for a combined 5M (might be a little less). So then the Blazers are somewhere around 177M with 14 players. That's a 23-25M margin below the tax line. So then they have to decide between Timelord, Thybulle, and a full MLE. The full MLE will be around 15M (using it would hard cap at the 1st apron IIRC). Meaning if the Blazers want to keep the option of their full MLE (which has become more valuable since it can be used like a TPE), they'd have to jiggle their roster a bit.

I don't think they can go into next season with Clingan and Yang as the only C's. Is Timelord dependable enough?

it's kind of crazy that Deni will be the 7th highest paid Blazer; and if Portland used their full MLE he'd be the 8th highest paid

Good points. I'm hoping we make the playoffs so no pick. Also Sidy Wesley might be vet minimum. All vet minimum only count as 2 yr min on the cap regardless if their contract is for more $.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Damn, I wish he were. I am convinced he could also play backup 4. He is effective in defending the perimeter, and his 3-ball looks legitimate. Granted, 7-16 is a small sample size, but he is a career 35% 3 pt shooter. Good enough to keep the defense honest.

I wonder if he'd sign for 7-8M/year. Would any other team pay him that much?

Yeah I'd like to see Timelord resigned for something around that much. I'd overpay that if it was only a one year deal.

Yang even if he is healthy just doesn't have much of a role. Especially with Dame offense next year - we need our role players to have very good D. Yang might be a 3rd string guy that's better to keep as injury insurance if Clingan were to miss time.

 

[wizenheimer]

Good points. I'm hoping we make the playoffs so no pick. Also Sidy Wesley might be vet minimum. All vet minimum only count as 2 yr min on the cap regardless if their contract is for more $.

2nd year vet minimum will be around 2.3M. So, 4.6M. I'm skeptical Portland can climb out of the play-in and make 8th seed

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I'm skeptical Portland can climb out of the play-in and make 8th seed

What you are saying is that if we don't make it past the play in game, that isn't considered making the playoffs and we'd keep our 1st round pick, it wouldn't go to Chicago?

 

[wizenheimer]

What you are saying is that if we don't make it past the play in game, that isn't considered making the playoffs and we'd keep our 1st round pick, it wouldn't go to Chicago?

yes...the pick is lottery protected. If you assume no play-in team in either conference advances, the current seeding in the lottery is:

8th - Memphis 20-32
9th - Milwaukee 21-30
10th - Chicago 24-30
11th - Charlotte 25-29 --> 10th seed play-in, East
12th - LAC 25-28 --> 10th seed play-in, West
13th - Atlanta 26-29 --> 9th seed play-in, East
14th - Portland --> 9th seed play-in, West

if that holds, somehow, the Blazers will have landed on the worst outcome for the season

 

[e_blazer]

I'm skeptical.

Could’ve just stopped there.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

What you are saying is that if we don't make it past the play in game, that isn't considered making the playoffs and we'd keep our 1st round pick, it wouldn't go to Chicago?

Correct - it doesn't matter if a team makes the playin or where they are slotted in spots 7-10. Just matters if they ultimately make the playoffs or not. The lottery is only for teams that miss the playoffs.

If the Blazers make the playoffs from any spot in the standings 7-10 the pick goes to Chicago
If the Blazers miss the playoffs from any spot 7-10 the pick will be in the lottery and stay with Portland.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'm skeptical Portland can climb out of the play-in and make 8th seed

Any rational reason you believe this besides just general Blazers fan pessimism?

GSW has Butler injured for the season and traded away three rotational players (TJD, Kuminga, Hield) only bringing in an injured Kristaps Porzingis. Curry is hurt. I wouldn't be shocked if they even flip to tanking.

Grizzlies dumped JJJ for picks and are tanking.

LAC gave away their center for picks and Harden for an injured player. They are a bit of a wild card in that they have 0 control of their pick but seems like they are thinking how to retool or rebuild this roster - not win anything this year. They've made the playoffs enough in recent years they aren't a team that is desperate to sneak into a low seed just to get swept.

Phoenix in the 7th seed is clearly ahead of all these other teams. But some team will have a chance to beat them in that first playin game and get a playoff spot over them. Then another team will have a chance to get in as the 8th seed.

Blazers coaches, GM, and players all have a lot of incentive to make the playoff for the first time in a half decade.

While anything can happen seems like we should have as good or better chance than any of these other teams to make it. I still would probably project us to get swept in the playoffs or lose in 5 but this is a much easier year than most to make the 7-8 seed in the west.

 

[wizenheimer]

Any rational reason you believe this besides just general Blazers fan pessimism?

do you mean besides the fact that Portland is 3-6 over their last 9 games with all three wins coming at home and two of those wins coming against a team that just traded their best player while sinking into a tank?

or do you mean besides the fact that Portland has lost 4 of their last 5 on the road with the one win coming against the team with the worst record in the league while Portland has 8 of the next 10 games on the road and only 5 of their next 18 games at home?

or besides the fact that the Blazers only have a half game lead on the Clippers (with the Clips owning the tiebreaker) while Portland's remaining schedule has 12 home games and 16 road games; while the Clippers remaining schedule has 17 home games and 12 road games?

am I being skeptical or realistic?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Grant is worth 10% of the Moda remodel. Can we do something with that?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Grant is worth 10% of the Moda remodel. Can we do something with that?

You mixed up the terms worth and cost.