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Portland Trail Blazers 2015-16 Projected Payroll Ranks Lowest In NBA

The Blazers are in full rebuild mode and have successfully given themselves financial flexibility to make an impact in years to come.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

According to Eddie Scarito of Hoops Rumors – who did some impressive legwork for his piece – the Portland Trail Blazers rank dead last in the NBA’s 2015-16 payroll projections. With just $49,375,118 in total cap commitments, they are more than $20M below the $70M salary cap. At the other end of the spectrum, the Cleveland Cavaliers are not only $40M over the salary cap, but $25M into luxury tax territory, with $109,845,352 in total cap commitments.

Sporting a current record of 6-10 while paying $10M less than the next-most thrifty franchise (Sixers: 0-16) the Blazers are, in some respects, doing a lot with a little. Even as all-star point guard Damian Lillard’s max extension money kicks in next year, Portland should still have plenty of room to continue building, given the projected cap spike of about $19M for the 2016-17 season. The front office has managed to create extreme flexibility without going into tank mode – something to be thankful for.

To see Scarito’s extensive breakdown of the Blazers’ cap commitments, click here. To see Scarito’s full cap breakdown of the Blazers’ roster, click here.