Buffalo saved more than $6 million in salary-cap room by letting Johnson go.

In doing so, the team opened about $400,000 in salary-cap room for 1996.

Many teams with salary-cap room spent most of their money on one player, causing a backlash.

Other teams with salary-cap room could offer Bryant about $102 million over six years.

Just as important, the Nets freed more salary-cap room for the future.

When those contracts are up, there will finally be some salary-cap room.

Many teams would also lack salary-cap room to make attractive offers to free agents.

Expensive contracts were eaten to clear salary-cap room for better players.

We're fortunate we have salary-cap room and we'll be able to add some new players.

The team will need to create more salary-cap room to sign him or any other first-round pick.