The Los Angeles Lakers might be kings of L.A. now, but their crown could get snatched soon by their very own city rival. In 2026 and 2027, both the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers are positioned with some serious salary-cap firepower. If a big name is up for grabs, the Clippers might just steal the spotlight.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks said: “Due to the salary cap increasing 10% this year, 7% in 2026‑27 and a projected fewer number of veteran extensions this year (43% of the players eligible to sign extensions reside on teams with room), cap space is, once again, a resource teams will have available.”
Marks also went stated that “Starting next offseason, ESPN is projecting at least 10 teams — including Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland, Utah and Washington — to have significant cap space.”
Clippers are coming for Lakers’ crown
That means the battle is set not just to compete on the court anymore; it will be a battle in the front office as well. The Clippers have been quietly building and preparing. They probably would love nothing more than to take a real shot at their NBA big brother.
The Clippers have been quietly assembling a competitive squad in recent years. Outside of Kawhi Leonard, they brought in veterans like James Harden, Brook Lopez, and Bradley Beal. They even managed to snag Chris Paul, a guy the Lakers have tried to recruit before to team up with LeBron James.
These signings clearly show just how serious they are about becoming the top destination for star players looking for their best shot at claiming a championship ring. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic potentially hitting free agency in 2027, both Los Angeles teams will be going all-in.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have one big weapon, and that is Luka Doncic. Doncic just signed a three-year contract extension that is setting him up to be a longtime Laker. Playing alongside a guy of his caliber will be a huge selling point, even if Jamesis not around during that time, which he most likely will not be.
All these moves are not just about next season or the playoffs; it is about who controls the future in Los Angeles. When the 2026 and 2027 free agency windows open, it won’t just be about who has the most money; it will be about who has the pieces in place.
Right now, the Clippers are making a strong case. The Lakers should be paying close attention.