Lakers’ cap-space gamble may already be paying off

The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to prioritize cap space in this upcoming summer, as well as the next one, is beginning to look ingenious. This revelation comes courtesy of…Trae Young. And probably Ja Morant, too.

Young was sent to the Washington Wizards in a deal that makes the Lakers’ Luka Doncic heist look like even more of a highway robbery. The returning package—CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, and zero draft picks—also proves that the bar for bankrolling max and near-max contracts continues to climb higher.

Teams are more reluctant than ever to commit big money not just to non-stars, but pretty much anyone who’s not a consensus top-10-to-20 player. This isn’t just based on Young’s case, either. Look at what’s happening with Morant. 

The Memphis Grizzlies are now “entertaining offers” for the 26-year-old, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. His services are not expected to command much, if any, more than the Atlanta Hawks received for Young.

Even as Ja and Morant have struggled, this represents a marked shift in how teams value players—which is great news for the Lakers, on both the trade and free-agency fronts.

The Lakers will be in prime position to make impactful moves 

Assuming Austin Reaves declines his player option, the Lakers will have anywhere from $45-plus million to north of $55 million in spending power, while still carrying his cap hold. That is enough flexibility to land a difference-maker or two.

Granted, free agency has largely been a dud in recent years. The same goes for using cap space to swing trades. That’s all about to change.

Consider the free-agency market. There will always be max-contract formalities. Reaves himself might be one of them. But the league’s shifting financial landscape in the Era of Aprons ensures more guys will land in grayer areas.

Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons, as one example, is headed for restricted free agency. Coming off a breakout year, he once upon a time might’ve been a max or near-max certainty. But the Pistons have already paid Cade Cunningham, and must plan around future paydays for Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II. Duren could suddenly be more gettable if Detroit isn’t willing to meet his asking price. 

That’s just one potential case. The list goes on. It could include restricted free agent Walker Kessler, another quality fit for the Lakers (if he’s healthy). Ditto for Isaiah Hartenstein, who has a $28.5 million team option for 2026-27 the Oklahoma City Thunder seem likely to decline as its own core gets more expensive.

There is a real chance the Lakers don’t go on a spending spree this coming summer. That’s fine. Splashier opportunities could be available to them in 2027, when they could still carve out plenty of cap space even with Reaves’ new contact on the books.

Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, most notably, have player options. They might extend before that summer, but you can bet the Lakers will be in the mix if either one doesn’t.

Don’t rule out cap space helping the Lakers make trades

Cap space can be used to do more than sign players. Financial relief is seldom the crown-jewel asset in blockbuster trades, but offering it is more valuable if outgoing contracts are no longer viewed in favorable terms.

Two names spring to mind here: Bam Adebayo, and Jaren Jackson Jr. Adebayo is about to start a three-year, $161.4 million extension next season. That averages out to around 30.9 percent of the salary cap. Jackson, meanwhile, has four years and $205 million left on his deal after this one. That comes out to roughly 28.7 percent of the salary cap. 

Not too long ago, these deals would seem fine. They still might be. But the prospect of committing so much of your cap to players who can’t be your No. 1 option or the best player on a title contender has never been more fraught. You already need to be a championship threat to do it. The Grizzlies and Miami Heat are not that.

This is all to say, star contracts may no longer net as much in trades. If the Lakers slow-play it at this year’s trade deadline, they’ll have three first-rounders available to trade over the summer. Between that and boatloads of cap space, they could be perfectly positioned to bag a shocking addition—and maybe even two.