Examining Lakers' Salary Cap, Decisions for 2026 NBA Free Agency after Loss to Thunder
The offseason has arrived for the Los Angeles Lakers following a second-round sweep to the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
And there is one enormous story bursting over the horizon.
Luka Doncic, with absolutely no doubt, is the future of the organization. This summer, however, the Lakers will find out whether LeBron James will continue being part of their championship pursuit or he'll leave for a different team.
That's the featured topic, obviously, but several more expiring deals or player options mean Los Angeles is headed for a busy offseason.
2026 Salary Cap
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Entering a pivotal offseason, the Lakers have flexibility. That's the nice way of saying Los Angeles could, in theory, lose a handful of key pieces, too.
Doncic is owed a team-high $51 million in 2026-27, accounting for nearly half of the $106.5 million on the books. Granted, about $28 million of that number is tied to a trio of player options—more on those shortly.
The organization knows it has Jarred Vanderbilt ($12.4 million) under contract, along with Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and Adou Thiero. They, combined, are due below $17 million.
So, hey, Los Angeles is far below the projected $165 million salary cap, $201 million luxury tax and both aprons. Neat!
But it's definitely not going to stay that way.
Top Contract Decisions
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LeBron's decision will influence the direction of the Lakers' offseason, but a key part of that discussion is Austin Reaves' next contract.
Reaves is expected to decline a $14.9 million player option because he'll command a considerable raise in free agency. It seems unlikely he would bolt Los Angeles, but the salary on this next agreement is important.
DeAndre Ayton ($8.1 million) and Marcus Smart ($5.4 million) each have player options and will likely exercise them. Whether they actually stick in LA is fair to wonder—one or both could be traded—but that's a different conversation.
Los Angeles also holds a $2.5 million team option on Nick Smith Jr., and it's worth keeping him as a reserve guard for another year.
Free Agents to Pursue
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The double-edged sword of having so many free agents—LeBron, presumably Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, among others—is that LA needs to fill a bunch of roster spots yet also has plenty of space to maneuver.
If LeBron wants to stay, he will. If he doesn't, he won't. Simple, but true.
From there, the Lakers' top priority will be re-signing Reaves and then either building depth behind a Doncic/Reaves core or Doncic/Reaves/James trio.
Hachimura is a quality fit as a stretch forward, although Los Angeles may instead prioritize a more traditional wing. Back in February, ESPN's Dave McMenamin shared the Lakers were already discussing Tari Eason, Quentin Grimes, Tobias Harris, Dean Wade, Peyton Watson and Andrew Wiggins.
If the Lakers want to seriously bolster the frontcourt, they could make a run at a restricted free agent like Jalen Duren or Walker Kessler.
The dominoes can start falling once LA settles LeBron's and Reaves' futures.
