TITLE: Pelinka says Lakers kept trade deadline quiet to preserve 2026 cap flexibility
SLUG: pelinka-says-lakers-kept-deadline-quiet-to-preserve-2026-cap-flexibility
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers completed only one transaction before the 2026 NBA trade deadline, shipping guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for three-point specialist Luke Kennard. General manager and vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said the modest activity reflected a deliberate strategy to protect roughly $48.5 million in projected salary-cap room for the summer of 2026.
“Turning down certain offers can be just as aggressive as making a deal,” Pelinka told reporters at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo. He explained that the front office reviewed larger proposals but rejected moves that could compromise both short- and long-term plans.
The Lakers are on track to reach their cap figure by renouncing the free-agent rights of every player except guard Austin Reaves. Pelinka said the new collective bargaining agreement’s dual-apron system has increased the cost of operating above the luxury thresholds, making financial flexibility essential for roster construction.
“Teams that plunge deep into the second apron are finding out how restrictive it can be,” he noted. “If we stay flexible, we can pursue free agents, re-sign our own players, or absorb talent from clubs looking to shed salary this offseason.”
The plan echoes last summer’s approach, when Los Angeles also prioritized cap space after acquiring Luka Doncic. Pelinka indicated the franchise intends to be “aggressive” once again—this time in free agency—when the market opens in July.
Bufkin signs two-year deal
Shortly after the deadline, the Lakers reached a two-year agreement with guard Kobe Bufkin, promoted from their G-League affiliate. The contract runs through the end of this season at the minimum salary and includes a team option for 2026-27. Bufkin is expected to see increased minutes with Vincent now in Atlanta.
The Lakers enter the final stretch of the regular season aiming to evaluate their current roster while preserving the cap flexibility Pelinka believes will drive the next phase of roster building.
Source: LakersNation.com
