When the Los Angeles Lakers were still in pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, many were wondering why the team would not just up their financial offer to secure a new starting forward via sign-and-trade. The answer had to do with next year's nontaxpayer midlevel exception.
Not budging on overpaying Kuminga allowed the Lakers to maintain financial flexibility with that MLE for next offseason. That positions them to push for some of the intriguing names who could be available in 2027. Rob Pelinka has good reason to believe in the fits of some of those players more than Kuminga, too.
Max Christie, Luguentz Dort, and Derrick Jones Jr. are just some of the names the Lakers could add. However, the franchise could just as easily use that money as a tool to retain their own guys. In particular, it helps them maintain financial control on anyone who they lack bird rights with.
Trevor Lane pointed out that if someone from the group of Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Collin Sexton, or Kevon Looney outplays their worth in 2026-27, having that NTMLE could save the Lakers from just being a launching pad. The mutually beneficial relationship can be extended.
The nontaxpayer MLE allows Lakers to control the future of their own free agents
The Lakers had a major offseason overhaul this year, changing up over half their roster. That is not something you want to practice every summer. Eventually, you want to create a sense of stability.
This is especially true when it comes to keeping around players who are working well with your core. Guys like Thybulle and Williams are great examples of two guys who are currently great values on a minimum deal. Either one could easily set themselves up for more money by the summer of 2027.
That is when the nontaxpayer midlevel exception comes in to save the Lakers' butts. Maybe Ziaire does have a breakout season in Los Angeles and turns into a starting-caliber forward who fits well with Luka Doncic. Would you not want to keep that guy around?
Williams is only on the cusp of his 25th birthday (Sep. 12). There is serious staying power for him if the union with the Lakers works out well for both sides.
What if Sexton turns out to be an indispensable part of the Lakers offense and suddenly looks worth more than $9.8 million a year? That would give him reason to opt out of next season's player option. The Lakers can then use the nontaxpayer midlevel exception to pay him.
Standing their ground and maintaining access to that level of financial fallback is an important tool toward pushing for a title in Los Angeles. The Lakers did right to protect that asset.
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