NBA:Salary Cap

NBA RealGM — League Rules

The salary cap is the maximum amount each team can spend each season on player salaries and cap hits combined.

The cap

$60,000,000. The same for every team, binding at all times — unlike roster size, it applies through the off-season too.

What counts against it

Every player you are paying counts his full salary, wherever he sits — active, G League, or Injured Reserve.

Waived players are the only case where a contract counts for less than its full value.

Calculating your cap space

Cap Space = Salary Cap − Total Salary − Cap Hits

Total Salary is your players only — active, G League, and IR. It does not include cap hits, which are counted separately.

From the example roster:

  $58,467,800   15 player salaries
+  $1,400,000   4 cap hits
+    $132,200   cap space
= $60,000,000   salary cap

Timing

Drafted players count from selection. A pick is signed the moment it is posted, so his slot salary lands on your cap immediately. Enter the draft already holding room for every pick you intend to make.

See also

• Rosters — the three roster counts and the summary block
• Contracts — how salary and years are written
• Waivers — the 48-hour process and the 40% hit
• Free Agency — bidding within your space
• Re-Signing — the $11,500,000 re-sign maximum