Subsequent summer time might see a number of groups, together with the Los Angeles Lakers, have vital cap house. Sadly for these groups and the Lakers, the record of accessible free brokers for the summer time of 2026 is underwhelming at finest.
The 2026 free agent class goes to be underwhelming too, sorry.https://t.co/jc5x5oMm1y
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 24, 2025
The reason is that almost all high free brokers are agreeing to contract extensions earlier than hitting free company. That features De’Aaron Fox of the San Antonio Spurs and even Luka Doncic.
That leaves Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Younger as the highest free agent subsequent summer time. That assumes that he does not signal an extension earlier than then. Even when he does not, his match subsequent to Doncic leaves so much to be desired and will scare the Lakers from pursuing him.
Meaning the Lakers might have as much as $96 million in cap house and no star to pursue, forcing them to get artistic subsequent summer time.
How will the Los Angeles Lakers use their max cap house?
And not using a clear-cut free agent to focus on, the Lakers must get artistic. Fortuitously, they’ve Rob Pelinka, who turned water into wine by buying and selling Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round decide for Doncic.
Think about what he might do with that a lot cap house. That might embody them making a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo, providing any asset that is not tied all the way down to persuade Giannis to play in L.A.
The Bucks will want extra convincing. However the Lakers might take up Giannis’ contract and possibly one other dangerous Bucks contract to assist Milwaukee get a jumpstart on their rebuild.
That is provided that Giannis makes clear that he needs to play with the Lakers. Or, they will make smaller strikes by leveraging their cap house to select up further belongings that embody first-round picks that they will use in an even bigger deal down the highway.
Both method, it appears clear that the Lakers will not have the ability to merely signal high free brokers contemplating lots of them already signed extensions. As an alternative, they must work out different methods to construct round Doncic.
All in all, the Lakers might have as much as $96 million in cap house and no star to chase in 2026 free company. Nevertheless, that house will give them loads of maneuverability to construct round Doncic in intelligent methods, placing that cash to nice use.
