Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[omahen]

They have almost nothing on their cap for 2026 right now, but if they keep both Luka and Lebron under max contract, they won't have max cap space. Way less. In fact, with the few salaries they have on the books for 2026, and if they just let everyone else walk, they would then be working as an over-cap team (ie, less cap room than the big MLE).

Of course, there's no guarantee they will have EITHER Luka or Lebron. LBJ might retire. And there's no guarantee Luka will want to stay in LA. He will be a FA in 2026, and can sign a max deal with anyone. Where does LUKA want to play?

One more on Lakers cap situation in 2026. Assuming Luka resigns, they only have roughly 70 mil on the books on guaranteed deals as it is now. According to Spotrac, the projected cap limit is at 170 mil that year. This leaves Lakers 100 mil to play with in free agency. A lot of money left for LeBron (or Reaves) and still have max cap space. 2026 free agent class is weak and good players rarely make it to free agency anyway. I think the goal is to have max flexibility for a trade for a star that will ask out of his current team (preferably on an expiring deal for higher leverage). Giannis, Booker, Mitchel as a few names to consider. Jokic fits the expiring contract part, but I think he will end his career in Denver.