The number of teams with projected cap space in 2023 expands compared to this offseason, but few of them are expected to be contenders and that was a factor in LeBron James' decision in signing an extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz each have over $40 million in cap space. The Cleveland Cavaliers currently have just under $30 million in cap space for 23-24. The Lakers could have approximately $20 million in cap space next summer.

"For LeBron James, he looked at the free agency landsacpe next summer, who might have cap space, and there was nothing that interested him enough, I'm told, to keep that option open and go into the season on an expiring contract," said Adrian Wojnarowski.

James signed a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Lakers on Wednesday. While James won't have a no trade clause, he does have a 15 percent trade kicker.