The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly planning to be fiscally conservative over the next two seasons to make a big splash in the summer of 2027. It is a strategy one rival NBA executive believes is “idiotic.”
“They haven’t had an impressive offseason at all, and then there are rumors that Rob (Pelinka) is saving cap space for 2027. That’s just idiotic when you have LeBron and Luka,” the exec allegedly told Hoops Wire.
Related: How Luka Doncic can position himself for $400 million Los Angeles Lakers contract
LA will enter next season with a pair of top 15 players in Luka Doncic and LeBron James. They should make noise in the Western Conference next season. But if they make several notable additions, they could be a serious title contender in 2025-26. However, outside of signing Portland Trail Blazers castoff Deandre Ayton, the franchise has been relatively quiet.
The rumors around the league are that GM Rob Pelinka is not looking to add too much to their payroll in advance of what will be a strong NBA free agent class in 2027. That year, league legends and current stars like Stephen Curry, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young could be available (via Spotrac).
Lakers and LeBron James butting heads?
los angeles lakers
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
One of the biggest stories over the last few weeks is whether LeBron James will be on the Lakers’ roster when camp opens later this year. The assumption is that he will be. However, there has been some evidence that he and the team are not on the same page. Creating speculation that a trade out of LA is as possible as ever.
The same rival GM, who isn’t a fan of the team looking ahead to 2027 instead of maximizing the window they have with James and Doncic, also believes there is definitely something going on “behind the scenes” with the NBA legend and the franchise.
“Yeah, usually when a star player like LeBron opts into his contract, the team announces the move. I find this very strange [that they didn’t]. Something is definitely going on behind the scenes. I mean, the odds of LeBron getting traded are very, very low. His salary is just too high,” the exec said. “But I think LeBron and the Lakers’ front office are butting heads.”
Related: More evidence emerges LeBron James trade from Los Angeles Lakers coming soon
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos