Indiana Pacers face first apron hard cap for 2026-27 season

The Indiana Pacers are operating under a first apron hard cap for the 2026-27 NBA season following the acquisition of forward Kelly Oubre. By using the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception to sign Oubre to a two-year, $16.5 million contract, the team is prohibited from exceeding a total payroll of $209,015,000. These restrictions remain in effect through June 30, 2027, limiting the organization's flexibility for trades, signings, or waiver claims. The roster currently sits at 14 guaranteed contracts with a total valuation nearing $206.8 million, leaving minimal room to add veteran talent before the upcoming campaign. To accommodate these salary constraints, the Pacers waived Ethan Thompson to sign Braden Smith. The team must now evaluate the financial impact of every potential transaction to remain compliant with the hard cap.

• 2:08 AMYahoo Sports — Indiana Pacers Will Have To Deal With First Apron Hard Cap For 2026-27