‘Only One Team Has Cap Space’ – Analyst Breaks Down Re-Signings and Sign-and-Trades Wave After 2025 NBA Draft

The 2025 NBA Draft isn’t done yet, but a few minds, like ESPN Insider Shams Charania, are already thinking about free agency. Teams are almost out of cap space, so even though there are interesting players out there in the market, they will most likely re-sign with their franchises.

“What we’re going to see is a lot of free agents, are either going to re-sign with their teams, work on sign-and-trades because there’s only one team with significant cap space.”@ShamsCharania shares the latest on what’s next heading into free agency ✍️ pic.twitter.com/vhRwvc9Mxd

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 26, 2025

There’s one franchise with enough room in its cap to make big moves in this market. According to Charania, that team is the Brooklyn Nets. Speaking this Thursday on the “Pat McAfee Show,” the NBA insider explained the situation, saying:

” As far as what we have in front of us, there’s only one team with significant cash space. That’s the Brooklyn Nets… That organization, what they’re doing, is retooling younger. They used five draft picks last night. That gives you a window into what they’re trying to accomplish. They are continuing to build on a young timeline there. They have a ton of cap space…”

“There’s a whole lot of free agents right now… What we’re going to see is a lot of free agents, are either going to re-sign with their teams, work on sign-and-trades because there’s only one team with significant cap space,” he added.

Charania highlighted that stars like the Los Angeles Clippers’ James Harden and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid are in free agency. He added that LeBron James has a player option with the LA Lakers. Charania believes all these players will remain with their teams.

Cooper Flagg becomes the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft

Not much surprise here, the Duke freshman star was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the first overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday. Flagg joins a roster led by Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. It’s certainly a good place for him to succeed in.

Speaking to ABC News’ Rhiannon Ally after his selection was announced on Wednesday night, Flagg said:

“It feels amazing. So many emotions. It’s just so surreal to be here and going through this.”

The second overall pick of the draft was Rutgers’s Dylan Harper, who’s going to the San Antonio Spurs. Where the oddsmakers failed to make an accurate prediction was in the third overall pick, which went to Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, who was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dylan Harper’s Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey fell to the fifth spot. Bailey was picked by the Utah Jazz. Above him, in the fourth spot, went Duke’s Kon Knueppel, who was chosen by the Charlotte Hornets.

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