State of the Cap: Seattle Supersonics
2008/09 Seattle Supersonics Payroll: $48.4 million 2008/09 Estimated Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly $9.6 million under cap The Good: After a couple of major trades, the Sonics have set themselves up so that the highest paid player on their team next season will be Chris Wilcox at just $6.75 million. For comparison, the Knicks…Team Needs: Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks 2007-08 Record: 26-56 Head Coach: Scott Skiles The Milwaukee Bucks, another team with plenty of lottery picks and talent on the roster that hasn’t been able to get over the hump. There’s talk that the team is considering an overhaul, beginning with lead two guard Michael Redd, but given Redd’s expensive contract, a…State of the Cap: Golden State Warriors
2008/09 Golden State Warriors Payroll: $46.7 million 2008/09 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly: $11.3 million under cap (includes $17.1 million for the player option on Baron Davis’s contract) The Good: During his first full season in Golden State, Stephen Jackson topped 20 points a game for the first time in his career.…State of the Cap: New Jersey Nets
By Josh Redetzke 2008/09 New Jersey Nets Payroll: $51.7 million 2008/09 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly: $6.3 million under cap The Good: When you trade your franchise player, you had better get something really good in return (are you listening, Memphis?). Not only did the Nets get expiring contracts and draft picks,…State of the Cap: Milwaukee Bucks
By Josh Redetzke 6/15/08 2008/09 Milwaukee Bucks Payroll: $62.3 million 2008/09 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly: $4.3 million over cap The Good: Last summer’s biggest transaction, re-signing point guard Mo Williams, is off to a pretty good start. Mo maintained his scoring and assists at 17.2 and 6.4 per game…
State of the Cap: Los Angleles Clippers
Josh Redetzke 6/14/08 2008/09 Los Angeles Clippers Payroll: $53.2 million 2008/09 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly: $4.8 million under cap (includes player options of Elton Brand, $16.4 million, and Corey Maggette, $8.4 million) The Good: After signing a hefty contract and responding with a terrible season, Chris Kaman took advantage of…State of the Cap: Atlanta Hawks
By Josh Redetzke 6/13/08 2008/09 Atlanta Hawks Payroll: $51.7 million 2008/09 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly: $6.3 million under cap The Good: The Hawks made the playoffs for the first time in eight years and leading the charge was a healthy Joe Johnson. After an injury shortened season a year ago, Johnson…State of the Cap: Miami Heat
By Josh Redetzke 6/12/08 2008/09 Miami Heat Payroll: $53.3 million 2008/09 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $58 million (estimate) Roughly: $4.7 million under cap (Includes Shawn Marion’s player option of $17.2 million.) The Good: Even though Shaquille O’Neal showed flashes of inspired play in Phoenix, the trade that sent him away has to go down…