Cleveland Cavaliers
Season Record: 52-30
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$58,568,842
1st Apron Space: -$13,146,758
2nd Apron Space: -$472,758
11 players on Standard Contract (10 Gtd.)
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
Is the move to bring in Harden enough to put them on even playing field with the best of the West?
Is the idea to retain Harden for the foreseeable future or just the stretch run of this year?
Impact Free Agent
James Harden (PO)
Dean Wade
Keon Ellis
Impact Extensions
Donovan Mitchell
Max Strus
Tradable Contracts
Max Strus - $16,660,836
Sam Merrill - $9,160,714
Dennis Schroder - $14,809,200
Biggest Decisions
Physicality
Although they run a two big lineup, they aren’t the most physical team down low. How effectively their bigs are able to rim run will be very telling in their success around Harden and Mitchell.
Depth
When Ty Jerome left, the bench production took a significant hit. They have not completely re-calibrated their bench unit. Their bench unit can be transformed again in the offseason at a relatively low asset cost.
Toronto Raptors
Season Record: 46-36
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$28,059,996
1st Apron Space: $9,405,795
2nd Apron Space: $22,079,795
13 players on Standard Contract (11 Gtd.)
All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
What is the long-term core of complementary players around Scottie Barnes?
What does the future hold for Ingram, Quickley, and Barrett?
Impact Free Agent
Sandro Mamukelashvili (PO)
Impact Extensions
RJ Barrett
Gradey Dick
Tradable Contracts
RJ Barrett - $29,616,071
Jakob Poeltl - $19,500,000
Biggest Decisions
Long-Term Core Fit
Barnes is the centerpiece of the team as evident by the trades of players with some redundancy like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Therefore, the key to the future of the roster for the foreseeable future is whether core players like Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley are the right complement of players.
Jakob Poeltl
Poeltl has been in trade rumors almost since he arrived in Toronto. He has a very tradable contract and his production would be very appealing to many contenders looking for defensive anchors, even with an expensive extension. The real question is whether his extension will hinder his trade value.