TITLE: NBA Raises 2026-27 Salary Cap Projection to $165 Million, Revises Related Pay Scales
SLUG: nba-raises-2026-27-salary-cap-projection-165-million
CONTENT:
The NBA on Monday issued a fresh forecast for the 2026-27 salary cap, lifting its estimate to $165 million and triggering updated calculations for several cap-tied salary figures.
Maximum salaries
The revised cap pushes up projected first-year maximum salaries for players whose max extensions begin in 2026, including Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Luka Dončić and De’Aaron Fox. The same numbers would apply to pending free agents such as Jalen Duren and Austin Reaves.
Minimum salaries
Based on the new projection, a rookie who signs in 2026-27 is expected to earn roughly $1.36 million. A veteran with at least 10 years of service would be eligible for nearly $3.88 million.
Mid-level and bi-annual exceptions
The updated full (non-taxpayer) mid-level exception climbs high enough that a four-year contract signed under that exception in the 2026 offseason would total close to $65 million. The taxpayer version and the room exception rise proportionally. The bi-annual exception is now projected at a record $5,478,000 for 2026-27.
Hoops Rumors has posted the complete set of revised figures on its features pages and notes that the numbers will be adjusted again if the league issues another cap update later this season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
