Tonight’s games:
Cleveland @ Atlanta
Minnesota @ Houston
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last 10 Games: 8-2
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.
Atlanta Hawks
Last 10 Games: 7-3
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: $9,214,861
1st Apron Space: $52,895,058
2nd Apron Space: $65,569,058
10 players on Standard Contract (8 Gtd.)
Floridagal17, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
What is the identity of this team around Jalen Johnson?
Is Zaccharie Risacher a part of the core for this team?
Impact Free Agent
Gabe Vincent
CJ McCollum
Impact Extensions
Onyeka Okongwu
Tradable Contracts
Onyeka Okongwu - $16,100,000
Nickeil Alexaner-Walker - $14,403,710
Biggest Decisions
Supporting Cast
The Hawks officially turned the page to the next phase of their franchise when they traded Trae Young and handed the reins of the offense to Jalen Johnson. This leads to questions about how the rest of the current roster fits around Johnson, especially scorers like Kuminga and McCollum. Also, is Okongwu a starting caliber 5 in a starting rotation that features Johnson as the main facilitator?
Minnesota Timberwolves
Last 10 Games: 4-6
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$29,462,115
1st Apron Space: $13,967,075
2nd Apron Space: $26,641,075
9 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
Is Dosunmu the answer for better ballhandling in their rotation?
Is Terrence Shannon Jr. a part of the rotation past this year?
Is the front court rotation sustainable?
Impact Free Agent
Ayo Dosunmu
Bones Hyland
Jaylen Clark
Impact Extensions
Donte DiVincenzo
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Donte DiVincenzo - $12,535,000
Naz Reid - $23,275,862
Biggest Decisions
Primary Ballhandler
Bones Hyland is the only true point guard left in their rotation, but DiVincenzo has been serviceable as a starting ballhandler and Ayo also provides some great handling. How this group fares down the stretch will be informative as to whether they go shopping for another ballhandler this summer.
Front Court Fit
When KAT was traded, the Randle, Gobert, Reid front court rotation became an essential part of the team flourishing in the playoffs. However, after resigning Reid and Randle, the questions still surround if this fit can achieve the ultimate goal of a championship supporting Edwards.
Houston Rockets
Last 10 Games: 8-2
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$23,999,792
1st Apron Space: $16,124,278
2nd Apron Space: $28,798,278
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
What does the core look like long term?
Will the young core be broken up to compete short-term around KD?
What does the rotation look like after a solid season from Reed Sheppard and FVV returning?
Impact Free Agent
Fred VanVleet (Player Option)
Tari Eason (RFA)
Impact Offseason Extensions
Amen Thompson
Fred VanVleet
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Steven Adams - $13,000,000
Dorian Finney-Smith - $13,335,000
Reed Sheppard - $11,108,880
Biggest Decisions
Amen Thompson
Perhaps their crown jewel young player, Amen Thompson is going to be eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer and his potential could reach as high as Defensive Player of the Year. The max language that could be in his deal should be monitored.
Tari Eason
Eason and Houston were unable to reach an extension last offseason. For one of the integral pieces of the roster, this leaves a huge question mark as Eason takes the floor this year.