As the NBA and NBPA continue to negotiate terms surrounding an adjusted CBA agreement for the 2020-21 season, league sources continue to indicate to BSJ that a flat salary cap of $109 million remains likely for next season. The NBA and players look poised to agree upon a formula that would allow the league to spread out revenue losses over a few seasons rather than just factor them all into next year’s cap number, since a big drop in the cap would have a huge detrimental impact on spending for teams this offseason.
The setting of the salary cap number shouldn’t impact the Celtics too much in free agency. They will be well over the projected cap no matter what number it’s set at. However, the $109 million cap number does matter a lot for the Celtics when it comes to draft planning. Teams are totally dependent on where the salary cap is set to determine salary slots for each pick in the first round, so the Celtics will be able to start planning better for hypothetical trade scenarios with the cap number likely staying put at $109 million.
Here’s a look at what those salary slots would be for Boston’s picks in the 2020 NBA Draft.
$3.4 million at No. 14
$2.0 million at No. 26
$1.93 million at No. 30
Total: $7.37 million
Last June, the Celtics were able to wheel and deal on draft day not only to attain the players they wanted but also to loosen their salary commitments for rookies in the upcoming season, which allowed them to free up cap room for the Kemba Walker signing later in the summer. By turning picks No. 20 into No. 33 and a future first-round pick, the C’s opened up a couple million more dollars in cap space without having to sacrifice a first-round pick.
The goal for the 2020 NBA Draft may be similar in the sense that the C’s could be dealing with a hefty luxury tax bill if the tax line comes in at $132 million as recent reports suggest.
Here’s a look at their current payroll situation. Assuming Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter plan to opt-in (barring an extension being reached with Hayward), they have $132 million committed to 12 players next season.
Kemba Walker ($34.3 million)
Gordon Hayward ($34.1 million – player option)
Jaylen Brown ($23 million)
Marcus Smart ($13.4 million)
Jayson Tatum ($9.8 million)
Daniel Theis ($5 million – non-guaranteed)
Enes Kanter ($5 million – player option)
Romeo Langford ($3.6 million)
Vincent Poirier ($2.6 million)
Grant Williams ($2.5 million)
Robert Williams ($2.0 million)
Carsen Edwards ($1.5 million)