Tonight’s games:
New York @ Oklahoma City
Golden State @ Denver
New York Knicks
Last 10 Games: 7-3
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$41,739,360
1st Apron Space: $2,040,758
2nd Apron Space: $14,714,758
9 players on Standard Contract (9 Gtd.)
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
How do they utilize Mitchell Robinson and shore up the defense?
Does the contender status in the East signal a big move or standing pat?
Impact Free Agent
Mitchell Robinson
Jose Alvarado (PO)
Impact Extensions
Josh Hart
Miles McBride
Tyler Kolek
Offseason Tradable Contracts
Josh Hart - $20,923,760
Mikal Bridges - $33,482,145
Biggest Decisions
KAT’s Future
The KAT experience has been a roller coaster since the blockbuster trade last summer. There have been times where the KAT-Brunson connection looks seamless, but the top heavy nature of their roster means that any time that KAT fades into the background the void is glaring. KAT could continue garnering trade calls this summer which should be worth monitoring.
Defensive Makeup
Even with their first Conference Finals appearance in years, New York’s defense has been a huge concern for the better part of this year and last. KAT is not a traditional rim protector and Robinson seems to have a sweet spot around 18-20 minutes. This could be addressed on the perimeter or on the interior but New York is still searching for an answer.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Last 10 Games: 9-1
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$85,074,372
1st Apron Space: -$41,510,372
2nd Apron Space: -$28,836,372
15 players on Standard Contract (14 Gtd.)
All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
Is there a sustainable spot for young players with high potential in the rotation?
What is McCain’s role on this roster?
Impact Free Agent
None
Impact Offseason Extensions
Luguentz Dort
Isaiah Hartenstein
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Luguentz Dort - $18,222,222
Alex Caruso - $19,550,160
Isaiah Joe - $11,323,006
Aaron Wiggins - $9,224,300
Jaylin Williams - $7,774,648
Biggest Decisions
Future Draft Capital
The difficult questions for the Thunder started with the extensions they signed this summer for JDub and Chet. So far, they seem to be answering them with skill and precision. The next difficult decision is going to hinge on roster spots and how they value the draft class vs. the young guys near the end of their roster.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Hartenstein was one of two big outside acquisitions 2 summers ago. Caruso’s skillset seems to be much more irreplicable than Hartenstein, which may mean that Hartenstein may not be a part of their future. JWill’s has taken a definite step forward, but it is questionable whether that is translatable in more consistent minutes.
Golden State Warriors
Last 10 Games: 4-6
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$20,553,789
1st Apron Space: $24,444,704
2nd Apron Space: $37,118,704
9 players on Standard Contract (9 Gtd.)
Noah Salzman, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
Does the Buter injury force a big swing in the summer?
Is Porzingis being brought in for a long-term fit, or only expiring salary?
Is there enough in the arsenal to make another pivot?
Impact Free Agent
Draymond Green (Player Option)
Al Horford (Player Option)
De’Anthony Melton (Player Option)
Impact Offseason Extensions
Steph Curry
Draymond Green (?)
Offseason Most Tradable Contracts
Moses Moody - $12,500,000
Biggest Decisions
Age and Injuries
This core has proven that they can win together, but Butler’s injury on an already truncated window simply due to age brings the move to bring in Porzingis under the microscope. If Porzingis and Butler can get and stay healthy for the stretch run next season, this could be the last run for Curry and Green.
Next Step
Simply put, the question we have been asking for years, what happens when Steph and Draymond move on?
Denver Nuggets
Last 10 Games: 8-2
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$51,519,094
1st Apron Space: -$18,295,996
2nd Apron Space: -$5,621,996
10 players on Standard Contract (9 Gtd.)
All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
Are the health issues persistent enough to lead to a roster reset?
How will the offseason unfold with Watson’s restricted free agency as he established himself as a key member of their rotation in Braun’s absence?
Impact Free Agent
Peyton Watson (RFA)
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Bruce Brown Jr.
Impact Extensions
Cam Johnson
Julian Strawther
Tradable Contracts
Zeke Nnaji - $7,466,667
Jonas Valanciunas - $10,000,000 (Would need to be guaranteed)
Biggest Decisions
Depth
Denver had a great offseason signing highly coveted veterans like Hardaway and Brown, but only to short term contracts. Leadership will need to either retain these key rotation players or find replacements in their young players or in the draft.
Young Players
The previous leadership traded assets to take many bites at the draft apple in the hopes that they could find the correct rotation players late in the draft to surround and support Jokic and the core. Thus far, this leadership has gone searching for veteran role players to be in the rotation and players like Strawther and Holmes have fallen out of the rotation as a result. This offseason may provide some direction.