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With the recent announcement that the salary cap was rising by nearly $5 million next season, Detroit Bad Boys examined just what that meant for the Detroit Pistons and the possible price tag of restricted free agent Greg Monroe.
The verdict was the Pistons will end up with about $9 million to spend if they retain or sign-and-trade Monroe and about $20 million if they simply let him walk away or take back only a trade exception. But the Piston won't be the only team with money to spend, of course. Today we take a closer look at the status of team's set to be under the salary cap.
Teams with Cap Room
While the Pistons might be staring at roughly $20 million in cap room, they are certainly not the only team with ample money to spend. Here is a rough estimate of teams around the league without the specific math on draft picks, and roster holds. There are notes on decisions teams will have to make about pending free agents, etc.
Evaluate possible Greg Monroe suitors at your own risk.
| Team | Cap Space | Notes | Realistic Cap Room |
| Utah Jazz | $31 million | Gordon Hayward ($8.6 million hold) likely to be extended | ~$22 million |
| Phoenix Suns |
$30.7 million |
Eric Bledsoe ($6.6 million hold), PJ Tucker ($1.1 million hold), Channing Frye has $6.8 million player option that is factored in but he could opt out. | ~$20 million |
| Philadelphia 76ers | $30.6 million | Seven players under contract w/o options. Not ready to spend quite yet. | ~30 million |
| Los Angeles Lakers | $25.9 million | Assumes they renounce rights to Pau Gasol. Likely Waiting for 2015 free agent bonanza. | ~25 million |
| Charlotte Bobcats | $21.6 million | Will be competing for all prime free agents | ~$21 million |
| Detroit Pistons | $20.6 million | Monroe poised for extension beyond $10 million cap hold. | ~$9 million |
| Orlando Magic | $18.1 million | Jameer Nelson $8 million only $2 million guaranteed. | ~$24 million |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | $17.4 million | Assuming team picks up last year of Anderson Varejao and does not pick up last year option on Alonzo Gee | ~$20 million |
| Milwaukee Bucks | $15.4 million | Likely to pick up option on Khris Middleton, make qualifying offer to Ekpe Udoh | ~$15 million |
| Atlanta Hawks | $15.3 million | Likely to pick up options on Pero Antic and Mike Muscala | ~$13 million |
| ONLY IF | |||
| Miami Heat | $55 million | Don't think they'd drop James, Wade and Bosh to get the cap room. | None |
| Dallas Mavericks | $32 million | Need to re-sign Dirk, and will probably bring back one or both of Marion and Carter. | Minimal |
| New York Knicks | $29 million | Amar'e and Bargs would need to opt out. Not happening. Carmelo might bolt. | None |
| San Antonio Spurs | $28 million | Duncan would have to retire and team would have to cut Parker. Not happening. | ~$8 million |
| Toronto Raptors | $26 million | Likely to waive Salmons but pick up Johnson, Hansborough, Patterson, Vasquez. Would like to re-sign Lowry. | ~$12.7 million |
| Washington Wizards | $16 million | Could try to re-sign Marcin Gortat and maybe Trevor Ariza too. Could be in play for Monroe. | ~$16 million |
| Sacramento Kings | $15 million | Rudy Gay has monster $19.3 million option he is likely to exercise. Need to pony up to keep Isaiah Thomas. | None |
| Memphis Grizzlies | $10 million | Only have cap space if Zach Randolph opts out of deal. Might pay to retain Ed Davis. | Minimal |
| Chicago Bulls | $16 million | Would only amnesty Carlos Boozer if team thought they could lure big-name free agent like Carmelo Anthony or maybe Lance Stephenson. | ~$16 million |
| Boston Celtics | $10 million | Likely to retain Avery Bradley who has a $3.5 million qualifying offer and $6.2 million cap hold | Minimal |
In the next installment of this series, Detroit Bad Boys will examine just who the free agents might be.
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