Can the New Orleans Pelicans sign a max free agent in 2030-31?

Outside free agents can only be signed to a max using cap space; exceptions are far too small. Max starting salaries for 2030-31 run $54.1M (0-6 years of service), $64.9M (7-9), and $75.7M (10+) (projected).

An incoming max player can get 5% annual raises; players re-signing with their own team via Bird rights can get 8% and an extra year, which is the incumbent team's structural edge.

This is a forward look at 2030-31: it counts the contracts, options, and cap holds already on the Pelicans books for that season. Signings, trades, and option decisions between now and then will move these numbers.