Tonight’s games:
Charlotte @ Boston
Houston @ Phoenix
Charlotte Hornets
Last 10 Games: 8-2
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: $16,597,982
1st Apron Space: $60,661,982
2nd Apron Space: $73,335,982
13 players on Standard Contract (12 Gtd.)
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
Is LaMelo the right centerpiece to build a championship roster around?
Is Moussa Diabate a starting center? Or is this an unsustainable flash in the pan?
Impact Free Agent
Coby White
Impact Extensions
Brandon Miller
Miles Bridges
Grant Williams
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Josh Green - $14,679,012
Grant Williams - $14,265,750
Miles Bridges - $22,826,087
Biggest Decisions
Miles Bridges
Bridges has had an interesting journey ever since off-court issues forced him to miss significant time and sign his qualifying offer. Even after becoming an unrestricted free agent, he ended up back with Charlotte and has continued to be a key rotation player. This offseason could be the crossroads where his future shakes out as an extension eligible player.
Youth
Charlotte has stockpiled many young players in the past few years and many have blossomed into players with significant potential. At this point, it is likely time for Charlotte to start turning the corner past simply stockpiling talent and building a roster around the most promising players. The question is which players will be flipped in the process.
Boston Celtics
Last 10 Games: 8-2
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$19,928,835
1st Apron Space: $24,135,165
2nd Apron Space: $36,809,165
14 players on Standard Contract (8 Gtd.)
All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
What happens outside of Brown, White, and Tatum this offseason? Is there a better combination of players around them?
How will leadership handle their newfound flexibility after taking a year outside the tax?
Impact Free Agent
Nikola Vucevic
Impact Extensions
Neemias Queta
Tradable Contracts
Sam Hauser - $10,848,214
Payton Pritchard - $7,767,857
Biggest Decisions
Center Rotation
After shoring up their center rotation at the deadline with Vucevic, the front office has theoretically already solved this part of their rotation. However, the question is whether Vucevic sticks long term seeing as he is a free agent this summer.
Youth in Prominent Roles
This year the Celtics are leaning on young players in very important roles for their team. How these young rotation pieces perform in the playoffs could very well inform how the team moves forward in the offseason.
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.
Phoenix Suns
Last 10 Games: 4-6
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$21,028,561
1st Apron Space: $13,278,130
2nd Apron Space: $25,952,130
11 players on Standard Contract (8 Gtd.)
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
What pieces of this roster are going to stick around Booker?
Can the Green/Booker pairing be sustainable?
Impact Free Agent
Mark Williams (RFA)
Collin Gillespie
Impact Extensions
Jalen Green
Dillon Brooks
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Grayson Allen - $18,125,000
Royce O’Neale - $10,875,000
Biggest Decisions
Green/Brooks
The pair that came over as part of the Durant deal were not flipped for more assets as many speculated this offseason and this is likely to be a very important question for Phoenix’s direction into the future.
Center Position
The Suns invested a draft pick and multiple trades to shore up their Center position. Now one center has been traded out and one is a free agent. Mark Williams’ restricted free agency is going to be exceedingly interesting to watch during the summer.