The Los Angeles Lakers missed on Keon Ellis and De’Andre Hunter because they didn’t want to take back long-term salary, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike. That means Rob Pelinka and the front office are prioritizing free agency and only targeting expiring contracts ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
The Lakers already missed on their two biggest rumored targets after Ellis was traded to Cleveland for Hunter. LA needs a 3-and-D wing, but the market is nearly dry. The Lakers have limited tradeable assets and don’t want to be saddled with an unmovable contract as the front office attempts to build a sustainable contender around Luka Doncic.
The purple and gold are one of the few teams that can win in free agency, but this is a bold strategy. They are prioritizing cap space to find the necessary pieces. The Lakers do not want long-term salary because they want to have room to add this summer. Austin Reaves’ small cap hold gives them added flexibility. Los Angeles doesn’t want to forgo that chance for a trade before the deadline.
Lakers are prioritizing cap space this summer over deadline trades
LA is projected to have between $38 million and $47 million in cap room (subscription required) this summer to add to their roster. They have five players on expiring contracts and three others with player options. The Lakers know Austin Reaves will decline his option to become an unrestricted free agent, but Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart will have more difficult decisions. Either way, the purple and gold aren’t ready to give up their flexibility.
This could be a massive mistake by Rob Pelinka and the front office. Luka Doncic is playing the best basketball of his already legendary career. He wants to win now and is proving he can lift a subpar roster to greater heights. The Lakers have two co-stars in LeBron James and Austin Reaves. They owe it to that star trio to try to win a championship now.
Fans know the Lakers need upgrades to have a serious shot at a ring. The Kings wanted to attach salary to Keon Ellis, and De’Andre Hunter is set to make $24.9 million next season. It prevented LA from acquiring either player, despite rumored interest. If the Lakers are unwilling to take back any money beyond this season, their pool of players to acquire is limited. They certainly won’t get the improvements they need.
Fans aren't shocked here. The Lakers entered the season with LeBron James and multiple role players on expiring contracts. They were clearly prioritizing cap space for months, and it wasn’t going to suddenly change when two role players were available. Los Angeles might alter their stance for Giannis. Short of that, the Lakers are not abandoning this plan.
Los Angeles Lakers fans should prepare to be disappointed. Their trade deadline plans are to target expiring salary or do nothing. The purple and gold are not finding a difference-maker or changing their championship odds with this strategy.
They want cap space, and the pressure will be on for the front office to acquire meaningful upgrades in the offseason. If not, Lakers fans will be even angrier as the franchise wasted two cycles to improve the roster around number 77. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. All fans can do is stay tuned to find out.