National Basketball Association

NBA salary cap reportedly projected to rise past $100M

Published Apr. 18, 2015 7:45 a.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA salary cap is projected to rise past the $100 million mark by the 2017-18 season, according to multiple reports.

The cap, which currently sits at $63 million, is expected to jump to $67.1 million next season and then balloon to $89 million in 2016-17, when the league's new multi-billion TV deal begins, according to reports.

These projections could significantly change the landscape of the league. Teams that currently are hitting the cap's current threshold could now be looking to add a star player by 2016 and possibly another by 2017.

For example, the Cavaliers could now retain their Big 3 -- LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving -- and contemplate adding another All-Star player by 2016. But this projection could lead to unintended consequences, such as furthering the gap in competitive balance.

If these star-laden teams are allowed to not only retain their star players but add more talent, it could lead to a league of a few haves and many have-nots. The NBA tried to avoid that situation when it implemented shorter contracts and a luxury tax system in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.

But a potential work stoppage after the 2016-17 season could put a damper on these reported projections. The league and the players have the right to opt out of the current labor deal by Dec. 15, 2016.