Lakers keep powder dry at deadline, eye pivotal summer with $51 million in cap room and three future first-rounders
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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers slipped past the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 17 with only one move, shipping Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for guard Luke Kennard. The restrained approach leaves the franchise with significant flexibility for what decision-makers expect to be a franchise-shaping offseason.
Minimal changes now, major questions later
Forward Rui Hachimura, whose $18.3 million contract expires in July, noted the relief of knowing the roster is set for the season’s final 28 games after weeks of speculation. “With the Lakers, we get a lot of rumors, but a lot of times those rumors are bulls—,” he said after scoring 14 points in a 119-115 comeback win over Philadelphia that completed a season sweep of the 76ers.
Los Angeles enters the stretch run led by Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, but every member of that core faces a different type of offseason uncertainty:
- Reaves turned down an $89.2 million extension last summer and becomes eligible for a five-year, $241 million max deal.
- James, 41, can enter free agency and has repeatedly said he has not decided whether to play a 24th season or retire after his record-setting 23rd campaign.
- Hachimura will be an unrestricted free agent.
Cap sheet opens up
By standing pat, the Lakers preserved up to $51 million in projected cap space, according to ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks. That estimate excludes James and Hachimura and assumes player-option pickups by Deandre Ayton ($8.1 million) and Marcus Smart ($5.4 million). In addition, Los Angeles will control three trade-eligible first-round picks—2026, 2031 and 2033—once the calendar reaches draft night.
“One form of being aggressive is saying no,” president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said, explaining that potential short-term upgrades were rejected to protect long-range goals.
The LeBron factor
James is earning $52.6 million this season while averaging 22.0 points on 50.2% shooting, 7.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds. His decision will heavily influence how the Lakers deploy their cap room. Although Pelinka has publicly said the organization hopes James retires as a Laker, an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN the club’s optimal path could be “moving off LeBron” to retool around Doncic and lock in Reaves.
Roster needs and free-agent targets
Opposing executives believe Los Angeles will prioritize long, switchable defenders who can hit open shots. Internal discussions, per sources, have included unrestricted free agents Andrew Wiggins and Tari Eason, along with Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade. Restricted free agent Peyton Watson is also on the radar; Denver’s $215 million in guaranteed salary could make matching a rich offer difficult for the Nuggets.
Eyes on a bigger prize
The Lakers are also preparing for the possibility that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available. Team sources believe Los Angeles would be on the short list of destinations if the Milwaukee Bucks entertain trade offers. A Western Conference executive labeled Antetokounmpo “the big prize” and noted that L.A.’s three future firsts could appeal to Milwaukee should it choose a full reset.
Doncic, who marked his one-year anniversary with the franchise earlier this month, has supported management’s patient approach, a source familiar with his thinking said. The 26-year-old recently signed a three-year, $165 million extension and has not lobbied for an immediate star addition.
Leadership and outlook
Pelinka and controlling owner Jeanie Buss will spearhead offseason strategy alongside new minority owner Mark Walter. Internally, the front office has cited Walter’s deep pockets and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ high-profile signing of Shohei Ohtani as evidence the Lakers can take a similarly bold swing if the right opportunity—namely Antetokounmpo—arises.
For now, the Lakers will ride the current roster into the postseason. What follows after the final horn this spring could redefine the organization’s trajectory for years to come.
Source: ESPN.com
