NBA Free Agency: Top 5 Teams with the highest cap space

NBA Free Agency will begin tomorrow, and while every team would cherish signing a superstar such as Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard, cap-space will prove to be a barrier for most of the league.

The salary cap has continued to climb in recent seasons and is projected at a record $109 million for the 19-20 season. But, player salaries have followed an upward trend, and while NBA teams have a combined $500 million available in cap space, the majority of this figure is dominated by a handful of teams. So, ahead of free agency, here are the five teams with the most projected cap space.

#5 Indiana Pacers - Projected Cap Space - $34.1 million

The Pacers will be looking to build a competitive team around Victor Oladipo

Bojan Bogdanovic, Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans, Kyle O'Quinn, Wesley Matthews, and Thaddeus Young will all hit free agency tomorrow, and it is believed that the Pacers are willing to let a majority of those names walk.

Bringing back Bogdanovic is the Pacers' main concern, and while Young may also return, Indiana is set to have around $34 million available in cap space. The organisation won't be in the mix to sign the top free agents, although Indiana will be aggressive when it comes to recruiting a new point guard.

#4 Sacramento Kings - Projected Cap Space - $44.1 million

Despite failing to qualify for the playoffs, the Sacramento Kings enjoyed an impressive 18-19 season

The Sacramento Kings were projected to have up to $66 million available in cap space, although this figure has been reduced in recent days as the Kings and Harrison Barnes are nearing an agreement on a 4-year, $88 million contract.

Nevertheless, the Kings will still have upwards of $40 million to spend on new recruits, with the likes of Willie Cauley-Stein and Yogi Ferrell likely to leave. Just like with the Pacers, the Kings won't be in contention to sign the summer's most in-demand FAs, although the team will be confident of picking up a few young players that can help build on the progress made during the 18-19 season.

#3 L.A. Clippers - Projected Cap Space - $51.8 million

The Los Angeles Clippers have cleared out the remains of their 'Lob City' days

Over the past two seasons, the Clippers have successfully offloaded their highest earners. Chris Paul was the first to go, and he was soon followed by both DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. Griffin's departure was particularly notable as the All-Star had only just signed a five-year, $173 million contract, and looked set to spend his entire career in Los Angeles.

As a result, the organisation has successfully freed up cap space to sign two max players this summer, and Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant are both long-term targets. Nevertheless, Durant appears set to stay with Golden State or move to New York, whereas Leonard is seriously considering the Lakers. This leaves the Clippers likely to strike out, and the franchise may have to try again next summer.

#2 Brooklyn Nets - Projected Cap Space - $68.6 million

The Nets' free agency plans revolve around D'Angelo Russell

At the start of the month, the Brooklyn Nets sent Allen Crabbe and his $18.5 million contract to the Atlanta Hawks. The move created enough salary cap for the Nets to add two maximum contracts this summer, but Brooklyn's free agency plans could be impacted by D'Angelo Russell. The 23-year-old will need to leave if the Nets are to lure Kyrie Irving and a second All-Star, but the franchise is wary of losing Russell and then striking out in free-agency.

Nevertheless, the signs are positive, as the Celtics have already prepared for Irving's departure by moving for Kemba Walker, while multiple reports have stated that Irving has his heart set on moving to Brooklyn.

If the Nets fail to add a second All-Star, then expect the remaining salary cap to be used on building a team around Irving, and the team should emerge from free agency in good shape for the 19-20 season.

#1 New York Knicks - Projected Cap Space - $70.5 million

The Knicks appear set to strike out in their efforts to sign two max-contract free agents

After pulling off a series of notable moves over the past 12 months, including sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks enter the off-season with approximately $70 million in cap space. The New York franchise could sign two free agents to max salaries, and the team has long been labelled as the favourites to sign Kevin Durant.

However, Durant may have reevaluated his future after suffering an Achilles tear that will rule him out of the entire 19-20 season, and the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Klay Thompson appear unlikely to consider New York.

This will leave the franchise with plenty of cap space to fill out the roster, and recent reports have suggested that the Knicks could turn to DeMarcus Cousins, Julius Randle, and Terry Rozier.