The 2023 NASCAR season (the 75th Anniversary season!) is right around the corner. So let’s take a look at the upcoming 2024 NASCAR Cup free agent class headlined by names such as Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain.

FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Michael McDowell (#34, age 38)

McDowell has been with Front Row Motorsports since the 2018 season and it was announced in December 2022 that McDowell would return to the #38 car for the 2023 season. McDowell has continued to get better each year while driving for FRM. His Top-10 finishes and average finishes have improved and it appeared that McDowell was in almost every race in 2022. McDowell seems to have found his groove with FRM, but if he continues to have success in this later part of his career will a bigger named team come calling?

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 16.7 (18th best)

Major Sponsors: Love’s Travel Stops, Horizon Hobby, FR8 Auctions

Todd Gilliland (#38, age 22)

The 2022 season was Gilliand’s rookie season and he did not disappoint when you combine that he was a rookie and it was the first season of the NextGen car. Gilliland ended the season with a Top-5 and two Top-10 finishes. I think we can expect more out of him in the 2023 season and if he continues to show progress and growth FRM might just lock him up for the 2024 season sooner than later with the potential of a lot of 2024 seats being open.

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 23.2 (outside Top-20)

Major Sponsors: First Phase

HENDRICK MOTORSPORT

Alex Bowman (#48, age 29)

Alex Bowman signed a two-year contract extension in the middle of the 2021 season, extending his contract through 2023. Bowman is in an interesting situation as he is the only driver with Hendrick that is not currently locked into a multi-year contract; Kyle Larson (thru 2026), Chase Elliott (thru 2027) and William Byron (thru 2025) were all extended during the 2022 season. According to Bob Pockrass, Bowman doesn't want to go anywhere else but Hendrick and negotiations are currently happening. So perhaps it's only a matter of time before this extension happens, but for now Bowman could still be a free agent in 2024.

2022 wins: 1

2022 average finish: 16.7 (17th best)

Major Sponsors: Ally Financial 

JOE GIBBS RACING

Denny Hamlin (#11, age 42)

Denny Hamlin has been driving for Joe Gibbs Racing for as long as we can remember at this point (2005 to be exact). He most recently signed a contract extension prior to the 2021 season. This might be the most interesting free agent going into the 2023 season on the heels of the Kyle Busch/JGR contract situation from last season. Hamlin struggled during the 2022 season having a career worst average finish of 15.5 since 2013, and “just” 10 Top-5 and 16 Top-10 finishes which have been career lows over the past eight seasons. So is that one-year struggle or dip in performance cause for concern that JGR would choose not to retain/extend Hamlin before the 2023 season is over?

According to Bob Pockrass, Hamlin feels confident that a deal is likely to get done; however, it could take a few months due to logistics that need to be put in place because of him being a driver and the owner/JGR-alliance that is already in place. As we all know a lot can happen when too much time passes, so until that deal is truly locked up Denny Hamlin will remain a top 2024 free agent.

2022 wins: 2

2022 average finish: 15.5 (10th best)

Major Sponsors: FedEx, Sport Clips, Coca-Cola

Martin Truex Jr. (#19, age 42)

Truex Jr., who has been with JGR since 2019, seems to have rumors each season on whether or not it will be the last of his career; however, he still continues to perform year in and year out. While the 2022 season was not Truex Jr’s best season in the most recent years, he just nearly missed the playoffs on points. There is obviously still something left in the tank for him to compete, the question is just how much is left and will he use it with JGR or another team in 2024?

 2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 14.9 (8th best)

Major Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops

KAULIG RACING

Justin Haley (#31, age 23)

Justin Haley has been a full-time Cup driver with Kaulig Racing since last season. Haley has shown some promise and some flashes having earned three Top-5 finishes in the 2022 season. Haley is likely to be on a year-by-year contract basis unless he can take massive steps to prove he can be a consistent contender year in and year out.

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 18.4 (outside Top-20)

Major Sponsors: LeafFilter Gutter Protection

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB

Noah Gragson (#42, age 24)

Noah Gragson moves from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series for the 2023 season. While he is on a one-year contract to start the season, he is going to be able to learn from Erik Jones and the new co-owner and part-time championship driver Jimmie Johnson. If he shows and proves what he truly can do on the track it is likely that LMC locks him up for the 2024 season sooner rather than later.

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 23.1 (outside Top-20)

Major Sponsors: TBD

SPIRE MOTORSPORTS

Corey LaJoie (#7, age 31)

Spire Motorsports announced that LaJoie would be returning in October 2022 who he has been racing for since 2021. While LaJoie’s racing stats have been consistent while joining Spire, there hasn’t been anything to write home about (outside of a career-first Top 5 finish) which is why LaJoie’s contract status seems to be on a year-by-year basis right now. 

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 24.3 (outside Top-20)

Major Sponsors: Celsius, Schluter Systems

Ty Dillon (#77, age 30)

Ty Dillon comes over to Spire Motorsports from Petty GMS (now Legay Motor Club) on a one-year contract. The Dillion signing was announced alongside the announcement that Corey LaJoie would be returning. It seems that like LaJoie, Dillon will be on a year-by-year basis for the foreseeable future.

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 22.6 (outside Top-20)

Major Sponsors: TBD

STEWART-HAAS RACING

Chase Briscoe ( #14, age 28)

UPDATE: Signed a multi-year extension with SHR, 1/26/23

Is Chase Briscoe the future of Stewart-Haas Racing? With Kevin Harvick recently announcing that he will be retiring at the end of the season, and Aric Almirola’s wishy-washy drive status moving forward (see more below), is Briscoe primed to cash in with a contract extension with SHR or could we see him driving for a different team in 2024? Briscoe has shown promise and growth having won a race locking himself into the playoffs and reaching the Round of 8 in 2022, in addition to achieving six Top-5 finishes and ten Top-10 finishes. 

2022 wins: 1

2022 average finish: 17.3 (20th best)

Major Sponsors: Mahindra Ag North America, HighPoint

Aric Almirola (#10, age 38)

Almirola’s situation has been interesting none-the-less. He announced prior to the 2022 season that he was going to retire at the end of the season. By August 2022, Almirola pivoted and announced he was not going to retire after all and would return for one more season and his primary sponsor Smithfield was going to return as well. Rumors reported Almirola signed a two-year contract extension in August, but recently has been listed as a 2024 free agent. Furthermore, Almirola’s last two seasons statistically have not been on par with how he has performed from 2018 to 2020. Will Almirola retire or decide to drive in 2024? Only time will tell, but then again he might change his mind again.

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 17.8

Major Sponsors: Smithfield

Ryan Preece (#41, age 32)

The #41 car seat was hotly contested within SHR, per reports. It sounds like some wanted Cole Custer to remain in the #41 car, while others wanted to give Preece a shot. This is likely to be a one-year prove it season, but if he comes out and performs well out of the gate (especially if he’s outperforming what Custer did in 2022) it would not be a surprise if Preece gets the nod for the 2024 season by silly season time. 

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 31.0 (2 races only)

Major Sponsors: Haas Automation / HaasTooling.com

TRACKHOUSE RACING

Ross Chastain (#1, age 30)

Ross Chastain announced he was signing with Trackhouse Racing in August 2021. He truly made a name for himself during the 2022 season (good or bad) by having a career year on the track. Ross won his first Cup race ever in 2022 at COTA and then followed it up with his second Cup win ever at Talladega, in addition to career numbers for laps led, average start and average finish. Of the 36 races, Chastain was Top-10 in 21 races. Chastain will be a sought-after driver if Trackhouse doesn’t lock him up to contract extension.

2022 wins: 2

2022 average finish: 13.3 (2nd best)

Major Sponsors: AdventHealth, Worldwide Express, Kubota

Daniel Suarez (#99, age 31)

Suarez joined Trackhouse Racing for their inaugural season in 2021. He has competed and continued to grow as a driver since joining the team. Suarez had a career season by earning himself and team a spot in the playoffs having earned his first win ever in a Cup car, a career best 13 Top-10 finishes and by far led the most laps of his career. Will Trackhouse continue to grow and win with Suarez or will they pivot going into 2024?

2022 wins: 1 

2022 average finish: 16.5 (15th best)

Major Sponsors: CommScope, Freeway Insurance

WOOD BROTHERS RACING

Harrison Burton (#21, age 22)

Harrison Burton joined Wood Brother Racing and competed as a full-time rookie in the 2022 season. He showed promise with some Top-20 finishes, but he finished with one Top-5 and two Top-10 finishes. Burton seems to be on a year-by-year basis when it comes to his contract for the time being.

2022 wins: 0

2022 average finish: 22.8 (outside Top-20)

Major Sponsors: Menards, Motorcraft/Quick Lane

Si Woo Kim comes from behind to win the Sony Open in Hawaii. He finishes with the top spot by shooting a 64 in the last round and finishing the tournament 18 under par. He earns $1.422 million for the first place finish and brings his 2023 season earnings to $2.42 million.

Sony Open Top 5

1. Si Woo Kim: $1,422,000

2. Hayden Buckley: $861,100

3. Christian Kirk: $545,100

T4. Andrew Putnam, David Lipsky, Ben Taylor: $332,458

Full Results

2023 Tournament Earnings Leaders Update

1. Jon Rahm: $3,162,000

2. Keegan Bradley: $2,585,224

3. Max Homa: $2,449,805

4. Si Woo Kim: $2,416,775

5. Tom Kim: $2,332,085

Full List

The NWSL Draft took place on Jan 12, 2023. NWSL teams selected 48 players across 12 teams.

The full draft results can be viewed here: 2023 NWSL Draft

Take Aways

• Alyssa Thompson was taken with the #1 overall pick by Angel City FC. She is the first high school player to be drafted in the NWSL. Angel City FC has acquired the #1 overall pick this week by sending Yazmeen Ryan and $250,000 Allocation Money to Gotham FC
• Kansas City Current were very active with 8 selections, including a draft day trade sending Lynn Williams to Gotham FC for the #2 overall selection.
• The most goalkeepers (6) ever were drafted in an NWSL Draft since its existence in 2013.
• 3 players were drafted from the two teams, UCLA and North Carolina, in the 2022 NCAA DI Women's College Cup championship.
• Duke, Florida State and Alabama each had 3 players selected leading all college representations.

Players Selected By Team

• Angel City: 2
• Chicago Red Stars: 4
• Houston Dash: 4
• Kansas City Current: 8
• Gotham FC: 2
• NC Courage: 4
• Racing Louisville: 4
• OL Reign: 2
• Orlando Pride: 5
• Portland Thorns: 4
• San Diego Wave: 3
• Washington Spirit: 6

Players Selected By Position

• Forward: 17
• Midfielder: 12
• Defender: 13
• Goalkeeper: 6

Jon Rahm earns $2.7 million at the Sentry Tournament of Champions by overcoming seven-shot deficit, which brings his official tournament earnings up to $38.19 million. Rahm shot a 63 (-10) in Round 4 to finish with a -27, while Collin Morikawa bogeyed the three-straight holes on the back nine finishing up Round 4 with 72 (-1) ending his tournament at -25. Morikawa earns $1.5 million brining his official tournament earnings to $20.63 million.

Sentry Top 5

1. Jon Rahm: $2,700,000

2. Collin Morikawa: $1,500,000

T3. Tom Hoge, Max Homa: $840,000

T5. Tom Kim, J.J. Spaun: $555,000

Full Results

2023 Tournament Earnings Leaders Update

1. Jon Rahm: $3,162,000

2. Keegan Bradley: $2,585,224

3. Max Homa: $2,449,805

4. Tom Kim: $2,332,085

5. Seamus Power: $2,106,070

Full List

CANNOT BE TRADED UNTIL JANUARY 15

Players who signed free agent contracts with Bird or Early Bird rights who re-signed with their prior team + that team was over the cap + player received a salary raise greater than 20% are not eligible to be traded until January 15, 2023. 

Nicolas Claxton (BKN)

Nicolas Claxton signed a 2 year $17.25 million contract on July 7, 2022.

Cody Martin (CHA)

Cody Martin signed a 4 year $31.36 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Kevon Looney (GSW)

Kevon Looney signed a 3 year $22.5 million contract on July 10, 2022.

Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)

Jae’Sean Tate signed a 3 year $20.63 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Nicolas Batum (LAC)

Nicolas Batum signed a 2 year $22.55 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Tyus Jones (MEM)

Tyus Jones signed a 2 year $29 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Victor Oladipo (MIA)

Victor Oladipo signed a 2 year $18.2 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Caleb Martin (MIA)

Caleb Martin signed a 2 year $20.4 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Dewayne Dedmon (MIA)

Dewayne Dedmon signed a 2 year $9.02 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Bobby Portis (MIL)

Bobby Portis signed a 4 year $48.58 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Mitchell Robinson (NYK)

Mitchell Robinson signed a 4 year $60 million contract on July 12, 2022.

Luguentz Dort (OKC)

Luguentz Dort signed a 5 year $82.5 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Mohamed Bamba (ORL)

Mohamed Bamba signed a 2 year $20.6 million contract on July 7, 2022.

Deandre Ayton (PHX)

Deandre Ayton signed a 4 year $132.93 million contract on July 18, 2022.

Anfernee Simons (POR)

Anfernee Simons signed a 4 year $100 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Chris Boucher (TOR)

Chris Boucher signed a 3 year $35.25 million contract on July 7, 2022.

CANNOT BE TRADED DURING REGULAR SEASON

Players that signed a free agent contract after November 9, 2022 or a veteran extension contract after August 9, 2022 are legally and contractually unable to be traded at any point during the regular season. Free agent signings come with a 3-month trade restriction from the day of signing. Certain veteran extension signings, that are above the extend-and-trade rules, come with a 6-month trade restriction. Players that signed one of these contracts after those specific dates listed above would have their trade restriction lifted beyond the NBA Trade Deadline on February 9th. 

Therefore, these players…

• Cannot be traded during the regular season at all, 
• Team/player cannot negotiate a trade,
• Player cannot request a trade,
• Team cannot force a trade,
• They cannot be traded for any reason, 
• Period

For example, LeBron James purposefully signed his veteran contract extension on August 18 knowing he would be unable to be traded at any point during the 2022-23 NBA regular season. LeBron cannot request a trade. LeBron and the Lakers cannot negotiate a trade. The Lakers cannot go behind his back and trade him without his consent. 

LeBron James (LAL)

LeBron James signed a 2 year, $97.13 million veteran contract extension on August 18, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

February 18, 2022. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

When can James actually/legally be traded? 

If you want to talk about hypotheticals of trading LeBron James, he can technically be traded (a) immediately after the last 2022-23 NBA regular season game if the Lakers are eliminated from Play-In or Playoff, or (b) immediately after the Lakers are eliminated from the Play-In or Playoffs. The Lakers’ last regular season game is April 9, 2023; therefore the earliest LeBron could be traded is April 10, 2023.

For salary matching purposes, LeBron’s 2022-23 salary of $44.47 million would be used instead of the 2023-24 salary. However, the Lakers are only allowed to have a trade partner (or partners) with teams that are in a similar situation of already being eliminated from the NBA playoffs.

Kemba Walker (DAL)

Kemba Walker signed a 1 year, $2.2 million minimum salary free agent contract on November 29, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

March 1, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

Maxi Kleber (DAL)

Maxi Kleber signed a 3 year, $33 million veteran contract extension on September 8, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

March 8, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

When can Kleber actually/legally be traded? 

He cannot be traded until (a) immediately after the last 2022-23 NBA regular season game if the Mavericks are eliminated from Play-In or Playoff, or (b) immediately after the Mavericks are eliminated from the Play-In or Playoffs.

Stanley Johnson (SAS)

Stanley Johnson signed a 1 year, $1.67 million minimum salary free agent contract on December 13, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

March 13, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

C.J. McCollum (NOP)

C.J. McCollum signed a 2 year, $64 million veteran contract extension on September 26, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

March 26, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

When can McCollum actually/legally be traded? 

He cannot be traded until (a) immediately after the last 2022-23 NBA regular season game if the Pelicans are eliminated from Play-In or Playoff, or (b) immediately after the Pelicans are eliminated from the Play-In or Playoffs.

Dean Wade (CLE)

C.J. McCollum signed a 3 year, $18.5 million veteran contract extension on September 27, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

March 27, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

When can Wade actually/legally be traded? 

He cannot be traded until (a) immediately after the last 2022-23 NBA regular season game if the Cavaliers are eliminated from Play-In or Playoff, or (b) immediately after the Cavaliers are eliminated from the Play-In or Playoffs.

Larry Nance Jr. (NOP)

C.J. McCollum signed a 3 year, $18.5 million veteran contract extension on October 3, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

April 4, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

When can Nance actually/legally be traded? 

He cannot be traded until (a) immediately after the last 2022-23 NBA regular season game if the Pelicans are eliminated from Play-In or Playoff, or (b) immediately after the Pelicans are eliminated from the Play-In or Playoffs.

Andrew Wiggins (GSW)

Andrew Wiggins signed a 4 year, $109 million veteran contract extension on October 15, 2022. 

What is his trade restriction date?

April 15, 2023. 

This comes AFTER the February 9th NBA Trade Deadline. He cannot be traded during the 2022-23 regular season.

When can Wiggins actually/legally be traded? 

He cannot be traded until (a) immediately after the last 2022-23 NBA regular season game if the Warriors are eliminated from Play-In or Playoff, or (b) immediately after the Warriors are eliminated from the Play-In or Playoffs.

CANNOT BE TRADED UNTIL JULY 2023

The following players signed super-max contract extensions during the 2022 offseason. By signing this type of contract these players are unable to be traded for 1 year from the date they signed the extension.

Devin Booker (PHX)

Devin Booker signed an estimated 4 year, $224.22 million super-max contract extension on July 6, 2022. 

When could Booker legally be traded?

July 6, 2023. 

Booker signed a super-max contract with Phoenix which comes with a 1-year trade restriction.

Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)

Karl-Anthony Towns signed an estimated 4 year, $224.22 million super-max contract extension on July 7, 2022. 

When could Towns legally be traded?

July 7, 2023. 

Towns signed a super-max contract with Minnesota which comes with a 1-year trade restriction.

Nikola Jokic (DEN)

Devin Booker signed an estimated 5 year, $272 million super-max contract extension on July 8, 2022. 

When could Jokic legally be traded?

July 8, 2023. 

Jokic signed a super-max contract with Denver which comes with a 1-year trade restriction.

CAN BE TRADED, BUT HIGHLY UNLIKELY

The following players signed rookie scale extensions during the 2022 NBA offseason. 

When could these players legally be traded?

Anytime, however…

Players that sign rookie scale extensions come with a “Poison Pill” limitation that is placed on their contracts until July 1, 2023. This limitation makes it highly unlikely that any of these players would be traded because the mathematical formula for salary matching purposes treats these player’s salaries differently than a standard player without this limitation. 

De'Andre Hunter (ATL)

De’Andre Hunter signed a 4 year, $90 million contract on October 17, 2022.

Darius Garland (CLE)

Darius Garland signed a 5 year, $194.3 million contract on July 8, 2022.

Jordan Poole (GSW)

Jordan Poole signed a 5 year, $128 million contract on October 15, 2022.

Kevin Porter Jr. (HOU)

Jordan Poole signed a 4 year, $63.44 million contract on October 17, 2022.

Ja Morant (MEM)

Ja Morant signed a 5 year, $194.3 million contract on July 6, 2022.

Brandon Clarke (MEM)

Brandon Clarke signed a 4 year, $50 million contract on October 16, 2022.

Tyler Herro (MIA)

Tyler Herro signed a 4 year, $120 million contract on October 2,  2022.

Zion Williamson (NOP)

Zion Williamson signed a 5 year, $194.3 million contract on July 6, 2022.

R.J. Barrett (NYK)

Ja Morant signed a 4 year, $107 million contract on September 1, 2022.

Nassir Little (POR)

Ja Morant signed a 4 year, $28 million contract on October 17, 2022.

As we enter January and the back-half of the NBA schedule where are dates and deadlines to know.

January 5

Teams can now sign standard 10-day contracts.

The following are the cash amounts players would earn if they were to sign a 10-day contract.

• YOE 0: $58,493
• YOE 1: $94,136
• YOE 2: $105,522
• YOE 3: $109,318
• YOE 4: $113,114
• YOE 5: $122,602
• YOE 6: $132,091
• YOE 7: $141,580
• YOE 8: $151,069
• YOE 9: $151,821
• YOE 10: $167,003

Any player that signs with 2+ years of experience will hold a cap hit of $105,522.

Players can sign a maximum of two (2) 10-day contracts with a team before needing to sign a standard Rest-of-Season contract with that team.

January 10

Non-Guaranteed Salaries

Non-guaranteed salaries for 2022-23 season become fully guaranteed. Technically, January 7th is the real date to watch as that is the last day players with non-guaranteed salary can be waived without incurring the full salary as dead cap/cash with a team.

Players who this will effect:

• Vit Krejci (ATL), $1.5M
• Tyrese Martin (ATL), $1.0M
• Justin Jackson (BOS), $2.1M
• Luke Kornet (BOS), $2.1M
• Noah Vonleh (BOS), $2.4M
• Markieff Morris (BKN), $2.9M
• Edmond Sumner (BKN), $1.9M
• Dennis Smith Jr. (CHA), $2.1M
• Lamar Stevens (CLE), $1.7M
• Kemba Walker (DAL), $2.2M
• Garrison Mathews (HOU), $2M
• Oshae Brissett (IND), $1.8M
• James Johnson (IND), $2.9M
• Wenyen Gabriel (LAL), $1.8M
• Austin Reaves (LAL), $1.5M
• Danny Green (MEM), $10M
• Haywood Highsmith (MIA), $1.7M
• Nathan Knight (MIN), $1.8M
• Jaylen Nowell (MIN), $1.9M
• Naz Reid (MIN), $1.9M
• Austin Rivers (MIN), $2,9M
• Ryan Arcidiacono (NYK), $2.1M
• Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (NYK), $1.9M
• Jose Alvarado (NOP), $1.5M
• Naji Marshall (NOP), $1.7M
• Jonathan Isaac (ORL), $17.4M
• Jock Landale (PHX), $1.5M
• Matthew Dellavedova (SAC), $2.6M
• Chima Moneke (SAC), $1.0M
• Stanley Johnson (SAS), $1.6M
• KZ Okpala (SAS), $1.9M

Exceptions

Salary exceptions, such as mid-level and bi-annual exceptions, become prorated each remaining day of the season. Each amount will be reducted by 1/174th per day starting on January 10th.

January 15

Trade Eligible

Majority of the players that signed free agent contracts were trade eligible on December 15th. The remainder of the free agent contracts that were signed during the offseason will not become trade eligible on January 15th.

Players who qualify:

• Nicolas Claxton (BKN)
• Cody Martin (CHA)
• Kevon Looney (GSW)
• Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)
• Nicolas Batum (LAC)
• Tyus Jones (MEM)
• Victor Oladipo (MIA)
• Caleb Martin (MIA)
• Dewayne Dedmon (MIA)
• Bobby Portis (MIL)
• Mitchell Robinson (NYK)
• Luguentz Dort (OKC)
• Mohamed Bamba (ORL)
• Deandre Ayton (PHX)
• Anfernee Simons (POR)
• Chris Boucher (TOR)

Disabled Player Exception

January 15^th is the last day teams can apply for the Disabled Player Exception. The Celtics (Danilo Gallinari) and Thunder (Chet Holmgren) are the only teams to have received the DPE this season. These teams have until March 10th to use the Disabled Player exception.

Two-Way

Last day to sign a player to a Two-Way contract.

January 20

All two-way contracts become guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

February 9

NBA Trade Deadline at 3PM

February 28

Last day players can renegotiate their contract. This would apply to the possible Myles Turner “Renegotiate-and-Extend” Keith Smith mentions in his Next Contract Series piece.

March 1

Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline

Any player waived after March 1^st will no longer be playoff eligible if signed with another team.

March 10

Last day for teams to use the Disabled Player exception

The Orlando Magic visited the Detroit Pistons on Dec 28, 2022. An altercation between Mo Wagner and Killian Hayes, who were fighting for a lose ball, quickly escalated as Hamidou Diallo actively involved himself which then cleared the benches. Wagner, Hayes and Diallo were all ejected from the game and have been assessed suspensions for the altercation.

Per the NBA, Wagner received a 3-game suspension, Hayes received a 2-games suspension and Diallo received a 1-game suspension for their involvement in the altercation. Eight other Orlando Magic players were given a 1-game suspension for leaving the bench during the altercation. Not that either of these teams will reach the luxury tax threshold this season, all luxury tax salaries for suspended players will receive a reduction: 50% of each fined amount. 

Technical Foul Fines

Killian Hayes: $2,000

Hamdiou Diallo: $2,000

Cole Anthony: $2,000

Gary Harris: $2,000

Ejection Fines

Killian Hayes: $2,000

Hamidou Diallo: $2,000

Moritz Wagner: $2,000

Suspension Fines

3-game Suspension

Killian Hayes: $120,781

2-game Suspension

Moritz Wagner: $25,913

1-game Suspension

Hamidou Diallo: $35,862

Wendell Carter Jr: $97,586

Gary Harris: $89,655

Mo Bamba: $71,034

Franz Wagner: $36,264

Cole Anthony: $24,922

RJ Hampton: $16,640

Admiral Schofield: $3,510

Kevon Harris: $3,510

Fines Total

$539,677

Related

NBA Fines & Suspension Tracker

The 2023 MLS Draft was conducted on Dec 21, 2022.

Hamady Diop from Clemson goes #1 overall to Charlotte FC.

11 drafted players were reportedly signed immediately upon being drafted.

Conferences with the most selections are as follows:

• AAC: 16
• Big Ten: 11
• Big East: 9
• Sun Belt: 6
• America East, American, Atlantic 10: 5

Schools with multiple draft selections are as follows:

• 5: Syracuse
• 4: Maryland
• 3: Clemson, Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Western Michigan
• 2: Creighton, Dayton, Georgetown, Penn, San Diego State, UNC Greensboro, Washington

2023 MLS Draft Results

Viktor Hovland goes back-to-back winning the 2022 Hero World Challenge which earns him $1 million.

Top 5

1. Viktor Hovland, $1,000,000

2. Scottie Scheffler, $375,000

3. Cameron Young, $225,000

4. Xander Schauffele, $150,000

5. Justin Thomas, $135,000

Full Results

Per reports, Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are close to an agreement to bring the superstar to the MLS on a record deal. The reporting of this makes it sound like the contract will be north of $14 million which is currently the highest guaranteed salary in the in MLS.

The Top-3 highest guaranteed salaries in MLS history:

Lorenzo Insigne ($14 million, 2022)

Xherdan Shaqiri ($8,15,3000, 2022)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic ($7,200,000, 2019)

Related:

2022 MLS Salary Rankings