NBA Fantasy: Salary Cap Edition is set to return ahead of the 2026-27 regular season, giving managers a $100 million budget, a 10-man roster and a daily lineup call before the first game tips. Opening Night is scheduled for Oct. 20.
| Roster rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Total roster | 10 players |
| Frontcourt spots | 5 small forwards, power forwards and/or centers |
| Backcourt spots | 5 point guards and/or shooting guards |
| Team limit | Maximum of 2 players from one NBA team |
| Salary cap | $100 million |
| Starting lineup | 5 players per Gameday |
The format is built around roster balance rather than simply loading up on the biggest names. Managers select five frontcourt players and five guards, with no more than two players from any one club. A Knicks-heavy build, for instance, could include Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but it could not also carry OG Anunoby.
Each player has a salary that moves during the season based on demand. A popular pickup gets more expensive; a player falling out of favor becomes cheaper. The full 10-player roster must remain under the $100 million cap.
How the scoring works
| Stat | Fantasy points |
|---|---|
| Point | 1 |
| Rebound | 1 |
| Assist | 2 |
| Steal | 3 |
| Block | 3 |
Only the five players in the starting group score on a Gameday. Managers can deploy either a three-guard, two-frontcourt lineup or a three-frontcourt, two-guard lineup.
The starting five must be set at least 30 minutes before the day’s first NBA tip-off. If a manager misses that window, the game will automatically select a lineup, ensuring that an active roster can still collect points.
The bench is not merely dead weight. The remaining five players serve as automatic injury and availability cover if a starter does not appear. Managers can rank substitution priorities, and the system will insert the highest-ranked eligible reserve while keeping the lineup’s guard-frontcourt structure intact.
The cap squeeze starts with the stars
| Player | Listed salary |
|---|---|
| Nikola Jokić | $23.0 million |
| Luka Dončić | $21.0 million |
| Victor Wembanyama | $19.5 million |
| Three-player total | $63.5 million |
| Average available for each of seven remaining spots | $5.2 million |
That is the central roster-building tension. Jokić, Dončić and Wembanyama would consume $63.5 million by themselves, leaving only $36.5 million for the other seven slots. The best construction is expected to blend dependable high-priced production with lower-cost players who can outperform their tag.
A successful roster will need contributions beyond its headliners. The daily lineup structure means a less expensive rotation player can become valuable when his role, minutes or matchup places him in the starting five.
League play and entry details
The game is free to enter with an NBA.com account. Managers may create as many as 25 private leagues, and there is no cap on the number of teams that can join a league. Friends can enter with a unique league code after building their own rosters.
Deep NBA knowledge can help identify undervalued players, but it is not required to participate. The game will also provide season-long reference material for managers looking for help with their selections.
