NBA free agency 2027 preview: Our Way-Too-Early look at next summer - ESPN

On Monday, we examined the NBA offseason trends that have developed over the first month of the 2026 free agency. Now, we're looking ahead to the players, teams, deals and decisions that will impact summer 2027.

Who are the top names to watch? Which franchises are projected to have the most cap space? Could draft lottery reform change how teams view superstar trades?

Let's fast-forward 11 months to get the answers.

Jump to a section:
The return of salary cap space?
FAs to watch: Giannis, KD, more
How Warriors retool around Steph
Should Nuggets worry about Jokic?
Max and rookie extensions to watch
Aprons' impact on Thunder, Knicks
Traded picks to watch | '27 prospects

Last August, we identified 10 teams that could have cap space in 2026. During last season, that group shrunk to just the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers after teams such as the Utah Jazz (Jaren Jackson Jr.) and Washington Wizards (Trae Young and Anthony Davis) acquired stars at the trade deadline. The Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets, meanwhile, either handed out long-term extensions or re-signed their players.

This summer was the second consecutive offseason that three or fewer teams had room.

Next offseason, the number of projected cap teams could range from three teams to nearly a third of the league: the Atlanta Hawks, Nets, Bulls, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings could enter summer 2027 with room.

The Warriors are the headliners — Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III can become free agents — but Atlanta could be the wild card from that group.

With CJ McCollum, Luguentz Dort and Jock Landale on expiring contracts and Buddy