ESPN analyst Zach Kram has placed all 30 NBA teams in his Now or Later rankings, with first place going to the club in the biggest hurry to win a title and 30th to the organisation calmly building for the future. The order is driven by a mathematical formula that combines two key components: each team's financial commitments and the value of its future draft picks.
Phoenix Suns — Money Rank: 5th | Draft Rank: 2nd
Phoenix are back at the top after giving up yet another first-round pick, this time to land Miles Bridges. The Suns went 45-37 in the regular season last term before being swept 4-0 in the first round. Following the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal trades, the club has practically no draft picks left. Owner Mat Ishbia spends lavishly, yet the roster hardly matches such lofty ambitions.
Cleveland Cavaliers — Money Rank: 2nd | Draft Rank: 4th
Ever since trading for Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland have stayed on an aggressive course: this summer they re-signed James Harden and added Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade deal. The Cavaliers do not control their first-round picks in 2027, 2028, 2029 or 2031, and they rank in the top three for financial commitments over the coming seasons. Short of a possible Jarrett Allen trade, they need results right now.
Minnesota Timberwolves — Money Rank: 6th | Draft Rank: 1st
Having already traded for Rudy Gobert and Rob Dillingham, Minnesota spent what was left of their draft capital on LaMelo Ball. Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Gobert form a powerful core. Yet with limited room under the salary cap and their stock of picks exhausted, rounding out the roster remains a serious problem.
Los Angeles Lakers — Money Rank: 10th | Draft Rank: 3rd
The Lakers have climbed from 14th to fourth, a rise built on re-signing Austin Reaves and landing Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade. A team constructed around Luka Doncic has all but run out of resources for further change. One question remains: can this roster compete with the heavyweights of the Western Conference?
New York Knicks — Money Rank: 4th | Draft Rank: 4th
Last season the Knicks ended a 53-year wait for a championship, but financial pressure has made it harder to keep the title-winning roster together. Mitchell Robinson has already left because keeping him would have pushed New York above the second apron, the strictest spending threshold in the league's salary rules, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart could both become free agents after this season.
Orlando Magic — Money Rank: 3rd | Draft Rank: 8th
Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs will take up more than 90% of the salary cap in each of the next three seasons. Tellingly, Orlando have not won a single playoff series with this core. The Magic have replaced head coach Jamahl Mosley with Sean Sweeney, but the pressure keeps mounting.
Toronto Raptors — Money Rank: 12th | Draft Rank: 8th
Kawhi Leonard's return, sealed with a two-year deal, has raised Toronto's ambitions. Jakob Poeltl's four-year, $103.6 million contract weighs on the salary cap, while RJ Barrett becomes a free agent at the end of the season. With Scottie Barnes in the fold, the Raptors are gearing up for a serious challenge.
Miami Heat — Money Rank: 18th | Draft Rank: 7th
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has lifted Miami nine places. Landing the 31-year-old star has switched the club straight into win-now mode. His partnership with Bam Adebayo makes the Heat a serious force in the league, and offering Antetokounmpo a new contract would push them even higher up the list.
Denver Nuggets — Money Rank: 9th | Draft Rank: 11th
Despite operating above the second apron, Denver have slipped for two reasons: the Peyton Watson trade brought them back a first-round pick, and Nikola Jokic has yet to sign a new contract. Once the Serbian centre puts pen to paper on a maximum deal next summer, the Nuggets will climb straight back up the list.
Philadelphia 76ers — Money Rank: 11th | Draft Rank: 10th
The Jaylen Brown trade has raised Philadelphia's ambitions, while adding LeBron James on a low salary left their draft capital intact. Built around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Brown and James, the 76ers are chasing the title, yet they still have future draft picks in hand.
LA Clippers — Money Rank: 28th | Draft Rank: 4th
Ivica Zubac, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard have all left. The NBA came down hard on the Clippers for breaching salary cap rules, stripping them of five first-round picks. Consequently, they have neither the means to win now nor the draft capital to build for the future.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Money Rank: 1st | Draft Rank: 24th
Once Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's supermax extension, the richest type of contract league rules allow, kicks in, he, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams will account for more than 85% of the salary cap. The 2025 champions still boast a deep stock of draft picks, but financial pressure has already forced them to start parting with rotation players.
Indiana Pacers — Money Rank: 16th | Draft Rank: 13th
The Ivica Zubac trade has strengthened Indiana's position. Zubac, Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard are already eligible for contract extensions, and Aaron Nesmith will join them in 2027.
Boston Celtics — Money Rank: 8th | Draft Rank: 17th
The Jaylen Brown trade eased the strain on Boston's salary cap and brought in fresh draft picks. Jayson Tatum's supermax deal, along with Paul George, Derrick White and Mitchell Robinson, keeps the Celtics competitive. Boston have reached the playoffs in 12 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the NBA.
Dallas Mavericks — Money Rank: 21st | Draft Rank: 12th
Dallas are caught between two eras. Cooper Flagg, still only 19, is the great hope for the future, while Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford form an experienced core. The club must choose: build around the youngster or chase a title with the veterans.
Detroit Pistons — Money Rank: 13th | Draft Rank: 17th
Five-year extensions for Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, worth a combined $355 million, have mapped out Detroit's future. Alongside Cade Cunningham, that young trio forms the club's long-term foundation, and the Pistons still hold all of their first-round picks.
Golden State Warriors — Money Rank: 15th | Draft Rank: 15th
Apart from a top-20 protected pick in 2030, Golden State control all of their own draft picks. Despite Stephen Curry's new contract, they will have room under the salary cap next summer. The question is what moves the Warriors will make to support an ageing roster.
San Antonio Spurs — Money Rank: 7th | Draft Rank: 21st
San Antonio reached the Finals and added veterans Luke Kornet and Tobias Harris. Victor Wembanyama agreed to leave the supermax clause out of his new contract, a decision that could save the club around $10 million a year from next season. The Spurs also have plenty of extra draft capital to work with.
Atlanta Hawks — Money Rank: 20th | Draft Rank: 16th
Atlanta will send their first-round pick to San Antonio next summer, but they will receive one in return from either Milwaukee or New Orleans. Jalen Johnson's flat $30 million annual salary keeps the club financially flexible.
New Orleans Pelicans — Money Rank: 22nd | Draft Rank: 20th
Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey are the only New Orleans players on long-term contracts. Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray remain the biggest question marks over the club's future.
Milwaukee Bucks — Money Rank: 25th | Draft Rank: 14th
After trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee have shifted their focus to the future. The picks they still owe from the Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard trades restrict their draft capital, and Myles Turner and Tyler Herro could yet be moved in further deals.
Washington Wizards — Money Rank: 19th | Draft Rank: 22nd
AJ Dybantsa, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George make up Washington's young core. Trae Young's four-year, $212.8 million contract weighs heavily on the salary cap, while Anthony Davis's future hinges on his player option for 2027-28.
Chicago Bulls — Money Rank: 27th | Draft Rank: 17th
Bryson Graham, who now leads Chicago's front office, has a free hand. Josh Giddey is on a $25 million-a-year deal, while Patrick Williams holds an $18 million player option. The club has the room to build around Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis.
Houston Rockets — Money Rank: 14th | Draft Rank: 25th
Houston made the playoffs, added Kevin Durant and still held on to their draft picks. Durant, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and Amen Thompson have all signed team-friendly extensions, which underpins the club's financial stability.
Sacramento Kings — Money Rank: 24th | Draft Rank: 23rd
Keegan Murray is the only one of Sacramento's highest earners tied to a long-term contract. Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter become free agents in 2027, while Domantas Sabonis has two years left on his deal. Ultimately, the club will switch to a new core.
Utah Jazz — Money Rank: 17th | Draft Rank: 27th
After trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. and sending Walker Kessler to the Lakers, Utah owe long-term money to Jackson, Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. The club is gradually edging towards a playoff spot.
Portland Trail Blazers — Money Rank: 23rd | Draft Rank: 26th
Portland may be the biggest winners from Giannis Antetokounmpo's move to Miami, as they already control Milwaukee's first-round picks in 2028, 2029 and 2030. Those assets will help the club build for the future, although agreeing a new contract with Deni Avdija remains the most immediate challenge.
Charlotte Hornets — Money Rank: 26th | Draft Rank: 28th
Despite a 44-38 record, Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges for draft picks. The club holds extra first-round picks in 2027, 2029, 2030 and 2033. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller are the cornerstones of the future.
Memphis Grizzlies — Money Rank: 29th | Draft Rank: 29th
Following the Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. trades, Memphis have stockpiled a wealth of draft picks. Jerami Grant is the only player on the roster earning more than $15 million. Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward are shaping the young core.
Brooklyn Nets — Money Rank: 30th | Draft Rank: 30th
For the third season running, Brooklyn finish bottom of the rankings. Despite adding Julius Randle, the Nets still hold more draft capital and financial flexibility than any other team. They continue to build for the future with their assets fully intact.
The NBA's financial rules and draft restrictions force teams to time their championship windows with precision. Get it wrong, and the price is a lost shot at the title and years stuck in crisis.
