Can the Los Angeles Lakers Land a Big Free Agent Now?

After making a splash at this year's trade deadline, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak will have another opportunity to make serious moves in the free agent class of 2012-13. But has he done enough to make room for a big free agent?

How did the trades at the deadline affect Laker finances? 

Are the Lakers projected to be over the luxury tax next season?

And do they have enough ammunition to land that big-name free agent?

First, let's start with the facts.

Lakers 2012-13 Payroll: $80.3 Million

The Lakers current salary for the 2012-13 season stands at $80.3 million.

Where is the lion's share of payroll going?

To the newest version of the triangle offense. 

The two-time NBA champion trio and real Big Three of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are on the dole for $63.3 million next season.

Pricey? Sure, but that's simply what it costs for perpetual success in the NBA.

$63.3 million, or $31.65 million per ring, appears quite reasonable for this most fantastic of trios.

How Did the Cleveland Trade Impact Laker Finances?

In an effort to reduce their projected payroll obligations, the Lakers met Dan Gilbert and crew at the swap meet last Thursday to make their worst contract Cleveland's newest problem.

Luke Walton, the biggest black eye on the Lakers' wage sheet, and Jason Kapono's expiring $1.0 million contract were traded for the services of Ramon Sessions and $2.27 million owed to no-name prospect Christian Eyenga.

Luke Walton's bar tab for 2011-12 and 2012-13? 

A combined $11.8 million.

Time to pony up, Dan.

Ramon Buckets

Meanwhile, Ramon Sessions stands to earn a combined $8.8 million over this season and next—the fairest price for straight buckets in the NBA.

The Lakers dropped their team's albatross and picked up a stud point guard in the process.

Walton, some guy named Kapono and a draft pick for Don Ramon?

Yet another masterpiece move from team Kupchak.

Moving Costs: -$0.54 Million

But Kupchak didn't stop there.

To further make room on the roster and on their salary sheet, the Lakers moved $3.4 million of clutchness and another draft pick in return for a back-up center.

Jordan Hill stands to make $2.86 million in 2011-12 with a possible $3.63 million team option for the following season, making the Fisher-for-Hill shocker a $0.54 million winner for the Lakers.

Loyalty, on the other hand?

That simply can't be priced in dollars.

Total Reduction? $2.5 Million

All said and done, the Lakers sent $16.4 million and two scratch-and-sniff lottery tickets for $13.93 million in guaranteed money, locking in a salary reduction of $2.47 million and the addition of a 25-year-old point guard for tomorrow.

Jerry West-disciple Mitch Kupchak just continues to surprise us with his managerial brilliance.

And leave it to Cleveland and Houston to overprice late first-round draft picks. 

But did the Lakers take a big enough bite out of their monster payroll?

It's Tax Season

Even with a roughly $2.5 million reduction in payroll, the Lakers—slated to pay $80.3 in salary next season—are still well beyond the luxury tax limit of $70.3 million.

Like many Americans who face the tax man in a few weeks (April 17 for you slackers), the Lakers will soon be facing their own tax man in a mere 18 months.

To start the 2013-14 season, teams over the luxury tax face harsh penalties—enough to cripple even the deepest-fleeced pockets of any owner.

Do the savings come in a monster trade?

Do the savings come through an amnesty cut on a highly-paid player?

It seems the big three for the Lakers, at $63.3 million, are locked in for the foreseeable future, so they cannot be budged from the Lakers' checkbook.

Or can they?

Not so Fast, Universe

As widely reported by many news outlets this week, Andrew Bynum's team option for next year (owed $16.47 million next season) was picked up by the team.

But nothing's official until crime boss Jim Buss says so. 

The Lakers have until June 30 to exercise the team option on Andrew Bynum or negotiate a contract extension before he becomes a free agent this offseason.

Categorically a no-brainer, the Lakers should most certainly keep the 24-year-old next year and steamroll their way through the playoffs and beyond.

But as was carefully pointed out by Bill McDonald, Lakers television broadcaster, during the Lakers/Mavericks telecast, the team has not officially picked up the option yet.

Until the Lakers organization makes the announcement, anything is possible.

Lamar Odom Trade Exception

Another interesting twist to the Lakers' payroll picture is the $8.9 million trade exception gained from the Lamar Odom-Dallas trade.

The Lakers chose to hold onto this valuable trade piece at the deadline and instead disposed of their two first-round draft picks next season.

Unable to sign free agents with their traded-player exception, and unable to perform trades until the end of the season, the Lakers will keep this salary shell to use during the next trading season—approximately five months from now.

To land a big free agent in 2012-13, a sign-and-trade is certainly possible, and the L.O. exception can be used to sweeten any trade package.

Upgrades Have Been Made

Doing most of his dirty work at the trade deadline, Mitch Kupchak left little room on the Lakers roster needing improvement.

The frontcourt was bolstered with a back-up center and the backcourt got their highly-anticipated facelift at the point guard position.

Is there anything else left for Kupchak to resolve?

Perhaps the addition of more spot-up shooters around the perimeter to improve their three-point percentage and another utility defender might help this Lakers team.

But still, it's a small pittance compared to the robust core in place and at the ready. Which brings up the question...

Do the Lakers Even Need a Free Agent?

Unless we're talking Dwight Howard or Deron Williams—two superstars in their own right—the Lakers aren't in any rush to land the big free agent.

The Mamba has plenty left in the tank as evidenced by his league-leading 28.7 points per game.

Big Daddy Drew is absolutely dominating and having the best season of his career.

The Spaniard has all-world skills and championship intangibles necessary for another ring.

And Ramon Buckets has burst onto the scene to take hold of the Lakers' floor general duties.

It's all about the here and now, and the Lakers—fresh off their 16-point smashing of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night—could very well be back on their way to victory lane.

Yet with the $2.5 million payroll reduction orchestrated by management last Thursday, and the oncoming luxury tax assault set to start in 2013-14, the Lakers are definitely of mind to keep their costs trending down—for tax, salary, free agent purposes or otherwise.

Still, it's win first, finances second.

That's how it's always been with the Lakers. And much to the dismay of David Stern and his new labor agreement, another championship trophy for the Buss family mantle would do very little, if anything, to change that.