So the the most cap space competition looks like this (millions of dollars):
39.6 Sixers The question is, do they want to go crazy in free agency, or keep facilitating salary dumps for assets.
31.2 Lakers doesn not include Hill 9 PO, Nash, Lin, Boozer and others
27.4 Magic does not include Ben Gordon, Ridnour
27 Hawks does not include Millsap, DMC, Antic
26.7 Knicks does not include Bargnani
26.8 Pistons includes Reggie Jackson 3.4 QO, does not include monroe and others.
25.9 Celtics does not include Bass, Jerebko will they go after a free agent during a rebuild? Might free up for someone else though.
18.3 Nuggets will have to waive W. Chandler 7.2 NG and Foye 3.1 NG, doesn't include Trob, Arthur Nelson 2.9 PO
17.2 Raptors does not include Johnson, Fields, Hayes, Hansborogh, Williams
12.8 Jazz renounce Ian Clark, QO to Ingles, does not include Evans, includes Booker
Teams with space they will likely use in retention:
43 Trailblazers does not include LMA, Afflalo, 7.5 PO Mathews, R Lopez, Kaman 5 mil non guaranteed, Steve blake 2 mil PO
38 Mavs does not include Chandler, Rondo, Monta, Felton, Aminu, Amare and others
32.1 Spurs does not include Duncan, Manu, Kawhi, Green and others
24.3 Grizzlies does not include M. Gasol, Koufus, Jeff Green 9.2 PO
*Pacers have lots of space if Hibbert and West opt out.
The above are probably not exact and
do not include draft picks, but it should give us an idea. Info from each teams page on
www.basketballinsiders.com
Another consideration is a player/agent may sign a 1 yr contract or even better, put a player option in a multi-year deal. I expect to DL to pursue a player that is likely to stay past the 2017 jump.
I don't have time to do the analysis to consider the competition, and guess what chances the Jazz have at one of the names being thrown around on Jazzfanz.