Every action or non-action carries a level of risk in the NBA. Teams generally construct their rosters over the summer through the draft, free agency, and trades. While a significant trade involving a player like Luka Dončić can alter team trajectories mid-season, the majority of impactful changes are expected to take place this summer. In a league governed by a salary cap, considerations of financial implications are intrinsically linked with basketball decisions. Each team is faced with critical choices that shape their short- and long-term roster strategies. This article outlines the most challenging financial decisions that each NBA team must face before the commencement of the 2025-26 regular season.

Starting this July, the NBA's new national television agreements are projected to inflate the salary cap to $154.6 million, reflecting the maximum allowable increase of 10 percent. Because the NBA operates with a soft salary cap, it is common for teams to exceed this figure, although teams may opt to remain underneath the luxury tax threshold of $187.9 million. Teams that remain below this tax level can reap financial benefits through penalties levied on tax-paying teams, amounting to an estimated $11.6 million this season. Furthermore, teams may strategically avoid exceeding the first and second aprons set at $195.9 million and $207.8 million, respectively, as crossing these thresholds triggers various restrictions.

Several teams have differing approaches depending on their salary cap situation. For teams under the cap, there is significant flexibility regarding trades, signings, and utilizing the mid-level exception. This can lead to effective roster enhancement through the restricted mid-level exception (RMLE) and the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NTMLE). Conversely, teams that surpass the first apron but remain below the second can access the taxpayer mid-level exception (TMLE). Meanwhile, teams above the second apron can only make minimum contract signings, limiting their ability to attract top talent. The upcoming decisions regarding player contracts and extensions are likely to have long-lasting impacts on many franchises.