Lakers Preserving 2027 Cap Space With Goal Of Signing Max Free Agent

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Los Angeles Lakers have approached their offseason decisions with the goal of preserving cap space for 2027 when they expect to have enough room to sign a max salary free agent, reports ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic are among the potential free agents in 2027 if they don't sign extensions before then.

The Lakers signed Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million deal after they were unable to agree to terms with Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith signed a four-year deal with the Houston Rockets. 

Austin Reaves will be a free agent in 2026 and figures to receive a substantial raise form his current contract of $13.9 million for 2025-26. 

Via Dave McMenamin/ESPN

[deepeeenn]

Does Pelinka still think this model makes sense? It seems he’s more focused on Big 3 roster construction with little regard to fitment.

[cheese318]

Does Pelinka still think this model makes sense? It seems he’s more focused on Big 3 roster construction with little regard to fitment.

What BIg3 do you speak of? In 2027 LeBron will be long gone so if they went after GA or Nikola it would just be a big2 with Luka. Maybe you’ll include Austin Reaves but he was homeborn doesn’t really count and why would you want to let him go without replacing him

[deepeeenn]

Does Pelinka still think this model makes sense? It seems he’s more focused on Big 3 roster construction with little regard to fitment.

What BIg3 do you speak of? In 2027 LeBron will be long gone so if they went after GA or Nikola it would just be a big2 with Luka. Maybe you’ll include Austin Reaves but he was homeborn doesn’t really count and why would you want to let him go without replacing him

I guess I’m partly referring to preserving cap space to sign a big FA model. I know it’s LA but that model becomes pretty risky if your FA targets don’t end up signing with you. It feels like what is being strategized in terms of Big 3 here is Luka plus big free agent in 2027 and then hoping another player forces a trade to play with the two. That’s why I bring up the Big 3 model. I imagine Reaves, if he’s still there could be used as salary ballast for that 3rd player.

[Vegeta10176]

Does Pelinka still think this model makes sense? It seems he’s more focused on Big 3 roster construction with little regard to fitment.

What BIg3 do you speak of? In 2027 LeBron will be long gone so if they went after GA or Nikola it would just be a big2 with Luka. Maybe you’ll include Austin Reaves but he was homeborn doesn’t really count and why would you want to let him go without replacing him

Banking on jokic or giannis being FAs in 2027 is wild they did this **** for years with AD and Lebron.. Good Luck luka maybe by the time he is 30 he has a semblance of a contender if he is lucky

[Vegeta10176]

Does Pelinka still think this model makes sense? It seems he’s more focused on Big 3 roster construction with little regard to fitment.

What BIg3 do you speak of? In 2027 LeBron will be long gone so if they went after GA or Nikola it would just be a big2 with Luka. Maybe you’ll include Austin Reaves but he was homeborn doesn’t really count and why would you want to let him go without replacing him

I guess I’m partly referring to preserving cap space to sign a big FA model. I know it’s LA but that model becomes pretty risky if your FA targets don’t end up signing with you. It feels like what is being strategized in terms of Big 3 here is Luka plus big free agent in 2027 and then hoping another player forces a trade to play with the two. That’s why I bring up the Big 3 model. I imagine Reaves, if he’s still there could be used as salary ballast for that 3rd player.

If they have 2 max guys no chance they can get a third max guy even with 2 max guys they have no chance of filling out the roster.. And they have no players to trade outside Vando and Reeves to fill the roster.. Lakers had a contender with AD and lebron and didn't put the role players in place it was a joke.. Now Luka gets to wait to see if Jokic or Giannis will be FAs lol and then when that doesn't happen oh well next year until he is 33 going what the hell happened..

[cheese318]

What BIg3 do you speak of? In 2027 LeBron will be long gone so if they went after GA or Nikola it would just be a big2 with Luka. Maybe you’ll include Austin Reaves but he was homeborn doesn’t really count and why would you want to let him go without replacing him

I guess I’m partly referring to preserving cap space to sign a big FA model. I know it’s LA but that model becomes pretty risky if your FA targets don’t end up signing with you. It feels like what is being strategized in terms of Big 3 here is Luka plus big free agent in 2027 and then hoping another player forces a trade to play with the two. That’s why I bring up the Big 3 model. I imagine Reaves, if he’s still there could be used as salary ballast for that 3rd player.

If they have 2 max guys no chance they can get a third max guy even with 2 max guys they have no chance of filling out the roster.. And they have no players to trade outside Vando and Reeves to fill the roster.. Lakers had a contender with AD and lebron and didn't put the role players in place it was a joke.. Now Luka gets to wait to see if Jokic or Giannis will be FAs lol and then when that doesn't happen oh well next year until he is 33 going what the hell happened..

Exactly how about building and drafting the pieces and working your way up the roster. Having a plan for a what if option. Nikola may want to play with Luka but to have to wait so long and waste his prime years to find out is such a waste. Lakers would be smart to trade LBJ for as much as possible and use him as a jump start for asset collection and also continuing to win