The Los Angeles Lakers have exhausted their available cap room after a flurry of Wednesday signings, leaving the club unable to offer more than a veteran minimum contract to unrestricted free agent Rui Hachimura.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, several league executives believe the front office is exploring moves to clear salary—such as trades or the stretch provision—to keep the 28-year-old forward. Hachimura has yet to reach an agreement elsewhere, fueling speculation that Los Angeles still hopes to carve out space.
Cap sheet provides little flexibility
The Lakers currently hold 13 guaranteed contracts and no remaining exceptions. Hachimura is expected to command roughly the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, projected at about $15 million annually. Los Angeles can only offer the minimum unless salary is shed.
Potential trade candidates include Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million), Deandre Ayton ($8.1 million), Jake LaRavia ($6 million) and Dalton Knecht ($4.2 million). Waiving and stretching Vanderbilt’s deal would open close to $7 million, but additional savings would still be required to approach Hachimura’s market value.
Roster overhaul under way
The franchise has pivoted to a new core built around Luka Doncic, watching last season’s free agents Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard depart. LeBron James is also expected to move on. Even with the spending spree, the roster lacks a proven wing, a void Hachimura could fill if financial obstacles are removed.
Market for Hachimura
The San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets were initially viewed as leading suitors, but San Antonio allocated its mid-level exception to Tobias Harris. Other teams still holding full mid-level money include the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors.
If Los Angeles cannot free cap space, alternative veteran-minimum wings such as Jonathan Kuminga, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle or Bruce Brown could come into focus. None, however, may offer the size and 38.9 percent three-point accuracy Hachimura provided last season on 3.7 attempts per game.
For now, the Lakers’ effort to reconcile their books will determine whether Hachimura returns to the lineup alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, or heads elsewhere before training camps open.
Source: LakersNation.com
