Cleveland Cavaliers

Can the Cleveland Cavaliers sign a max free agent in 2027-28?

Season2026-272027-282028-29 2029-30 2030-31

Not through free agency. The Cavaliers have no cap space for 2027-28 (projected), and outside free agents can only sign for the max using cap space.

Max, 0-6 yrs (25%)

$44.1M

Max, 7-9 yrs (30%)

$53.0M

Max, 10+ yrs (35%)

$61.8M

Cap space

-$82.0M

Max starting salaries run $44.1M to $61.8M depending on experience (projected), and the Cavaliers' cap position is -$82.0M.

Without room, a max-level player can still arrive by trade (matching salary) or by the Cavaliers re-signing their own free agent with Bird rights, which works over the cap.

This is a forward look at 2027-28: it counts the contracts, options, and cap holds already on the Cavaliers books for that season. Signings, trades, and option decisions between now and then will move these numbers.

The rule behind this

A player's maximum starting salary is a percentage of the salary cap, set by his years of service: 25% with 0–6 years, 30% with 7–9, and 35% with 10 or more.

How do NBA max salaries work? →What is cap space? →What does renouncing a free agent mean? →