The Los Angeles Lakers climbed from the 25th to the 24th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23 at Barclays Center, sending cash considerations to the New York Knicks and selecting Baylor guard Cameron Carr.
Salary-cap impact
Because the Lakers included cash in the deal, the team is now hard-capped at the league’s second apron for the 2026-27 season, according to salary-cap analyst Yossi Gozlan. The second apron is projected at approximately $222 million, while the overall salary cap is expected to be $165 million. Los Angeles was not projected to exceed even the first apron, so the new restriction is not anticipated to alter offseason plans unless the club elects to retain all of its free agents and operates above the cap.
Free-agent decisions ahead
Key contract calls remain on guard Austin Reaves and forward LeBron James, along with role players Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes and Luke Kennard. General manager Rob Pelinka’s front office must address those situations while staying under the first apron to avoid additional penalties.
Carr’s collegiate résumé
Carr, 6-foot-5, spent two seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Baylor for 2025-26. He started all 34 games for the Bears, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.9 steals. He converted 37.4 percent of his 6.1 three-point attempts per game, earned third-team All-Big 12 honors and finished in the conference’s top 10 in points, blocks and three-pointers made.
Search for a center continues
With frontcourt depth still a priority, the Lakers recently contacted the New Orleans Pelicans about second-year center Yves Missi, league sources said. The Pelicans have reportedly rejected all inquiries regarding the 7-footer.
The Lakers will enter free agency with their draft pick secured, a new hard-cap line set and several roster spots still to address.
Source: Lakers Nation
