NBA free agency 2022: The six tiers of cap space for all 30 teams

With the draft complete, as the 2022 NBA offseason continues, teams will turn to free agency for the opportunity to reshape their rosters.

To illustrate what to expect this offseason, we've separated all 30 teams into six tiers, ranging from teams that can easily generate cap space to those already in the luxury tax for next season. We've also highlighted which prospects teams can sign while addressing the challenges that lie ahead.

As a reminder, the salary cap for the 2022-23 season is projected to be $122 million, and the luxury tax line is projected to be at $149 million.

Will teams such as Detroit, Indiana, Orlando or San Antonio make a splashy signing? Or can title contenders finagle a way to acquire another cornerstone player? Here's the latest intel on what each franchise can potentially do moving forward.

Since COVID-19 impacted the economics of the NBA, a total of just nine teams have entered the past two offseasons with cap space. That's a trend that's expected to continue this summer, as just four teams — Detroit, Indiana, Orlando and San Antonio — are projected to have significant financial flexibility. A fifth team, the New York Knicks, has a path to create room and will need to waive the non-guaranteed contract of Taj Gibson and clear out more contracts.

However, despite the limited cap space leaguewide, players like restricted free agents Deandre Ayton or Miles Bridges are out not of options if they want to sign with a team that does not have cap space. Last year, we saw Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan orchestrate separate sign-and-trades to join the Chicago Bulls despite Chicago not having cap space.

A total of 16 free agents in the past two offseasons have been signed and were eventually traded to a team