What to know about NBA free agency, and challenges facing Suns as they build their roster
The busiest period of the NBA offseason is here.
Free agency starts on Friday and this year's market has a few superstars, many key young and aging role players and some veteran former all-stars. Free agents' new deals will financially impact their new or current teams and how they can build their rosters, possibly affecting them for years to come.
Here's a breakdown of what to know about NBA free agency: players' status, teams' money, the new collective bargaining agreement and how it could impact the Phoenix Suns:
When does NBA free agency 2023 start?
Free agency will begin on Friday at 3 p.m. Arizona time. That’s when teams officially can begin negotiating with players. Most contracts can't be signed until July 6, but some players will agree to contract terms before then.
What will the NBA salary cap be next season?
ESPN projects the 2023-24 cap to be $136 million, with the luxury tax at $162 million. The salary cap for 2022-23 was $123.6 million.
What is the new collective bargaining agreement?
The new CBA goes into effect on July 1 and runs through the 2029-30 season. The agreement was signed by the NBA and NBPA (players union) and shared with all 30 teams on Wednesday, according to ESPN. The first luxury tax apron is set at $7 million above the luxury tax level ($169 million for 2023-24). The second apron is at $17.5 million above the tax level ($179.5 million). Those numbers will increase at the same rate throughout the CBA's duration. As team salaries increase and reach the different apron levels, they become more restricted in how they can sign players and could face draft constraints or even financial penalties.
Which teams and types of players does the CBA affect most?
The new CBA should curtail the creation of so-called super teams, which means signing or trading for several All-Star supermax- or max-contracted players, and signing veteran players beyond veteran minimums.
Which NBA teams have most cap space in 2023-24?
As of Thursday, these five teams have the most projected practical cap space entering free agency, via Spotrac:
Houston Rockets: $59,783,491
Indiana Pacers: $32,152,523
San Antonio Spurs: $37,477,403
Detroit Pistons: $27,819,304
Orlando Magic: $22,801,227
Which NBA teams have the least cap space in 2023-24?
Also as of Thursday, these teams have the least projected practical cap space entering free agency, also according to Spotrac:
Phoenix Suns: -$70,553,928
Portland Trail Blazers: -$77,838,630
Los Angeles Lakers: -$53,563,498
Milwaukee Bucks: -$39,053,828
Golden State Warriors: -$60,424,850
Who are the best NBA free agents available?
All-Star point guards: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, UFA; Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors, UFA; Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers, UFA
Top veteran point guards: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks, UFA; Dennis Schroeder, Los Angeles Lakers, UFA; D'Angelo Russell, Lakers, UFA; Jevon Carter, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA; Gabe Vincent, Miami Heat, UFA; Patrick Beverley, Chicago Bulls, UFA; Dennis Smith Jr., Charlotte Hornets, UFA; Shake Milton, Philadelphia 76ers, UFA
All-Star shooting guards: N/A
Top veterans shooting guards: Bruce Brown Jr., Denver Nuggets, UFA; Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets, UFA; Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers, UFA; Ayo Dosunmu, Chicago Bulls, RFA; Coby White, Bulls, RFA; Austin Reaves, Lakers, RFA; Donte DiVincenzo, Warriors, UFA, Malik Beasley, Lakers, team option; Lonnie Walker IV, Lakers, UFA; Hamidou Diallo, Detroit Pistons
All-Star forwards: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, UFA, Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, UFA
Top veteran forwards: Jeff Green, Nuggets, UFA; Cameron Johnson, Nets, RFA; Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers, UFA; Matisse Thybuille, Trail Blazers, UFA; Grant Williams, Boston Celtics, RFA; Rui Hachimura, Lakers, RFA; Yuta Watanabe, Nets, UFA; Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, UFA; Jae Crowder, Bucks, UFA; Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans, UFA; Jalen McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves; UFA; Joe Ingles, Bucks, UFA; Troy Brown, Lakers, UFA
All-Star centers: N/A
Top veteran centers: Brook Lopez, Bucks, UFA; Christian Wood, Mavericks, UFA; Dario Saric, Oklahoma City Thunder, UFA; Montrezl Harrell, Philadelphia 76ers, UFA; Kevin Love, Heat, UFA; Mason Plumlee, Clippers, UFA; Mo Bamba, Lakers, UFA; Jaxson Hayes, Pelicans, UFA
Where do the Suns stand?
Phoenix has much shopping to do in the free agency market, but with little wiggle room to spend. The team has nine bench players becoming restricted or unrestricted free agents. But it has a top-heavy payroll weighted by Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton and the newly acquired Bradley Beal, accounting for more than $161 million next season. Coupled with other salaries, that puts them well past the luxury tax threshold even without knowing who the fifth starter will be and how much he'll cost. That means the Suns will have to resort to veteran minimum contracts for $1 million to $3 million salaries. It's difficult for Phoenix to sign a role player/star free agent as the starting point guard such as Kyrie Irving, who likely won't take a veteran minimum.
Suns free agents
Torrey Craig, SF, UFA; Jock Landale, C, UFA; Bismack Biyombo, C, UFA; Damion Lee, SG, UFA; Josh Okogie, SG, UFA; Darius Bazley, PF, UFA; Terrence Ross, SF, UFA; Saben Lee, PG, RFA; T.J. Warren, SF, UFA
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about 2023 NBA free agency, Phoenix Suns roster challenges
