Once Damian Lillard officially signs his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, only four NBA teams will still have their full $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE) available and remain far enough under the first tax apron to potentially use the entire amount.
Those teams are the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, and Golden State Warriors.
However, the status of the Bulls and Warriors could change, as both teams are still navigating restricted free agency situations – the Bulls with Josh Giddey and the Warriors with Jonathan Kuminga.
If either team signs those players to new deals or makes other cap-related moves, they may lose access to their full MLE or fall closer to the tax apron, which could restrict their spending flexibility.
That leaves the Wizards and Hornets as particularly notable teams to keep an eye on for the rest of the offseason – and possibly into the regular season.
With their full MLE still intact and room under the tax thresholds, they are well-positioned to be opportunistic.
They could use that cap space to sign free agents or more strategically, to absorb unwanted contracts from other teams via trade, potentially picking up assets in the process.
Cap Notes: Bulls, Nuggets, Harden, Minott, MLEs https://t.co/keU7J2U2uN pic.twitter.com/xw2LyzxkCa
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 18, 2025
