NBA salary cap rises to $35.5 million July 31, 2000 NEW YORK (AP) -- The NBA salary cap will rise from $34 million to $35.5 million for the 2000-01 season, the smallest increase in four years. The figure, in line with what teams were expecting, was released by the league and the players' union Monday night. A one-month moratorium on trades and free agent signings expires Tuesday. The salary cap went up $4 million last summer, $3.1 million the year before and $2.5 million the previous year. Between 1995-96 and 1996-97, it went up only $1.4 million to $24.4 million. The largest cap increase ever came after the 1994-95 season when it went from $15.9 million to $23 million. The salary cap, in theory, represents the maximum amount a team can spend on player payroll. But due to various exceptions, all but a handful of teams exceeded the cap last season. The minimum team payroll for next season will be $26.625 million. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Brad (edited August 01, 2000).]
