Teams are speculating that the league might apply future TV money to the 2015-16 cap, nudging it up above the current projection of $66.5 million. 

The league has told teams in the last two weeks to hold their 2015-16 cap projections steady, but there is a roiling anxiousness that this may change soon.

Teams are projecting that the cap could increase as high as $80 million for the 16-17, which will be the first under the new television contract.

The new normal salary cap could hit $90 million.

Some believe the NBA might backload the television deal so that networks pay less than expected in 16-17 and more each year after due to the potential of a lockout after than season.