The NBA announced that the salary cap for the 2026-27 season will be $164.961 million, an increase of 6.5% over the previous season. The new figures, along with corresponding increases to minimum team salary and apron thresholds, will take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 2, 2026.

The minimum team salary for the 2026-27 season is set at $148.465 million, an increase of more than $9.2 million from the prior season. The first apron level for the upcoming season will be $209.015 million, which marks a $13,070,000 increase. The second apron level will be $221.686 million, representing a $13,862,000 increase from the previous season.

NBA teams were permitted to begin negotiating with free agents at 6 p.m. ET on July 1, 2026. These negotiations were scheduled to cease at midnight ET on July 1, 2026, marking the start of the league's moratorium period. The moratorium period will conclude at noon on July 6, 2026.

According to Spotrac.com, all 30 NBA teams, with the exception of the Memphis Grizzlies, are currently over the new salary cap number. The Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Orlando Magic are all above the first apron. There are no teams currently hard-capped by the second apron.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls are each projected to have at least $30 million in cap space. The Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers can also make moves to potentially free up cap space.